Not long ago, I met a friend at a café. She looked perfectly fine, smiling as we exchanged pleasantries. But as our conversation deepened, she admitted that she had been struggling with anxiety for months. I was shocked. This was someone I had always seen as strong, confident, and cheerful. Her story made me realise how many people suffer in silence, afraid to ask for help.
Mental health is a topic we often push aside, even though it affects everyone. We talk openly about physical ailments like diabetes, heart disease or even a broken arm, but when it comes to depression or anxiety, silence takes over. It is an invisible battle, one that millions fight daily, yet so few are willing to discuss.
The COVID-19 pandemic should have opened our eyes to the fragility of mental well-being. Everyone is aware that isolation, financial stress and uncertainty pushed millions into emotional turmoil. But instead of making mental health a priority, we quickly slipped back into old habits; ignoring it once again.
As a Toastmaster, I have heard first-hand from corporate professionals struggling with stress. One member, who once loved his job, began suffering panic attacks due to relentless deadlines and the pressure to always be available. But he hid them, fearing he’d seem weak.
And it’s not just adults. Schools, too, have become pressure cookers. I see parents, completely exhausted, finishing their child’s homework late at night or paying tutors to ensure their kids get top grades. This pressure is producing a generation of children who are burned out before they even enter adulthood. Many of them lack the emotional resilience to handle setbacks because they were never given the space to develop it.
Public figures have helped break the stigma by sharing their struggles. Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, at the height of her career, opened up about her battle with depression. In Hollywood, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson also opened up about his struggle.
Move to sports and there’s the story of Simone Biles, who took a brave step by stepping away from the Tokyo Olympics. As the world watched, she opened up about her mental health struggles and the immense pressure she faced as one of the most decorated gymnasts in history. Her decision to prioritise her mental well-being sent a powerful message to millions.
In the music industry, Adele, known for her powerful voice and emotional music, publicly shared how she struggled with anxiety and self-image issues. She once admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the expectations placed on her after her early success and often found herself retreating from the public eye.
There are many women like Sarah, a mother and businesswoman, who struggle with postnatal depression after delivery. They suffer from overwhelming guilt and fatigue worrying about not being good mothers. Today, Sarah’s an advocate for mental health awareness.
As an advocate, I’ve seen the legal side of mental health struggles too. Many people, especially those involved in long-running litigation, often find the stress of their cases overwhelming. The legal field is often perceived as emotionless; focused solely on facts, arguments and verdicts. But behind every legal dispute, there are real people struggling with anxiety, stress, and uncertainty.
I’ve had clients who, at first, appeared fine, confident and composed; but over time, the toll of the legal process, the uncertainty of outcomes, and the emotional strain of navigating personal issues through the courts have affected their mental well-being. The drawn-out nature of litigation, especially in family disputes and property cases, can leave individuals feeling drained, helpless, and trapped in an endless cycle of legal battles.
Take, for instance, a client who had been in a drawn-out property dispute. The case had dragged on for years, with each court hearing bringing fresh anxiety and disappointment. I saw how the case was eating away at him emotionally. He confided in me that he was experiencing constant sleepless nights and panic attacks. Recognizing the signs, I referred him to a mental health professional. He later told me how helpful it was to have someone listen to him and guide him through his struggles. It made me realise that advocacy is not just about representing clients; it’s also about recognizing their humanity and mental
health needs.
Lawyers themselves are not immune to the pressures of the profession. The high-stakes nature of legal work, coupled with long hours and the emotional burden of handling difficult cases, takes a toll. Many legal professionals silently battle stress, anxiety and even depression. Law firms and courts must create support systems that help both clients and legal professionals cope with the stress that comes with the territory.
Mental health issues don’t just affect individuals; they impact families, workplaces and entire communities. We need to create spaces where people feel safe to talk about mental health. Workplaces must prioritize mental well-being, offering flexible schedules, counselling resources, and fostering a culture where employees don’t feel ashamed to ask for help.
Schools must teach students not just maths and science, but also emotional intelligence and coping strategies. Learning how to manage stress should be as important as learning how to solve equations.
On an individual level, we all have a role to play. Check in on your friends. Ask, “How are you really doing?” Listen without judgment. Small acts of kindness, like sending a message or making time for a chat, can mean the world to someone struggling.
Mental health is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. It’s time we stop treating it as an afterthought and start giving it the attention it deserves. Behind every smiling face, there could be someone fighting a battle we cannot see. And it’s on all of us to make sure they don’t fight it alone.
(The writer is an advocate by profession and a
passionate YouTuber)