World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10, serves as a reminder of the importance of mental well-being and the support required by those experiencing mental health challenges. This year’s theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” emphasizes the need to listen carefully to individuals with firsthand experience of mental illness to better understand their needs and improve care.
Dr. Neethu Mariam Chacko, a specialist psychiatrist at FSHN Clinic, highlights the gap between common societal perceptions of mental health difficulties and the actual experience of those affected. She explains that symptoms of depression, anxiety, or psychosis are deeply personal and vary significantly between individuals, even among those with the same diagnosis. For instance, a person with depression may struggle with basic tasks such as getting out of bed or concentrating, while someone with anxiety may suffer from persistent, intrusive worries. People living with psychosis may encounter hallucinations or difficulty distinguishing reality.
Dr. Chacko notes that mental health conditions often go misunderstood, with sufferers facing stigma and dismissive comments such as “You are thinking too much” or “Everyone has problems.” Such attitudes can exacerbate feelings of isolation and discourage individuals from seeking help. Fear of judgment affects people across different contexts, including students who worry about disappointing family or employees concerned about workplace repercussions.
Listening, according to Dr. Chacko, is a crucial but often overlooked form of support. It requires silence, patience, and openness without imposing immediate solutions or comparisons. Asking thoughtful questions and allowing individuals space to share their experiences on their own terms fosters trust and helps clarify what kind of assistance is needed. Respecting those who may not feel ready to fully express their feelings is also part of meaningful listening.
The psychiatrist also emphasizes the potential for lived experiences to improve mental health services. Patients’ reflections on what worked well and what hindered their progress can inform better practices. Effective care involves clear communication, collaborative treatment planning, and consideration of a person’s daily life, family responsibilities, and support systems.
At the community and familial level, small acts such as checking on someone who has withdrawn, avoiding stigmatizing remarks, encouraging professional help, and providing practical assistance can all ease the pathway to recovery. Dr. Chacko stresses that support should continue beyond initial conversations or clinical appointments, recognizing that recovery often involves setbacks and fluctuating progress.
Ultimately, individuals with mental health difficulties are more than their diagnoses—they have relationships, roles, talents, and goals that matter. Recovery may look different for each person, whether it involves returning to work, maintaining restful sleep, or reconnecting with loved ones.
World Mental Health Day calls on society to move beyond awareness and actively engage with those struggling by listening, responding with empathy, and fostering inclusive care. While professional treatment remains essential, compassionate listening can reduce loneliness, empower individuals, and contribute to meaningful change in mental health support systems.