Changing understanding in education, initiated the rule that Corporal punishment will not be used in
schools. A teacher, is a guide, a friend, a philosopher. Millions of Teachers passed on knowledge and
enlightenment through the ages and now with the Covid-19 pandemic, the teachers have again connected
with students online. We are thankful to these educationists for keeping young minds occupied and not
letting them go astray. Students have teachers to thank for in these times. The current generation of
teachers in India are motivated and committed, in spite of not being paid well like other professions.
The future generations are being groomed by them.

We have successfully addressed issues of withdrawal in the classroom, as well as aggression. Conflict
Resolution and non-violence to achieve a culture of Non Violence is what makes today’s Teacher Unique.
This creates a transformation in the students. Through the power of Love and compassion, so many
unknown and unheard of teachers have changed lives. To them is this salute—

Cheers from TEAM NAMI INDIA!

Suddenly, there is no school, no colleges, no parties, no travel, no bag packing and no plans! Graduating students of 2020 had to have it virtual. What can be more disappointing than that?

Added to this, in India specifically, youth who are graduating in 2020 are facing great stress. The Supreme Court is yet to give its decision on holding exams. The Delhi and Maharashtra State Governments have ruled out conducting exams! They say it is too risky to expose students, faculty and staff to the Coronavirus. We have large numbers and social distancing is going to be very difficult to achieve. The University Grants Commission which is the degree-awarding body states only it has the power to award degrees and exams must be held. Simply passing everyone will not be equitable.

In the middle of this are stuck the youth with stress and anxiety. They have concerns about their careers, future and everything else. Their patience is running out. How can youth tackle these mental health issues?

Firstly, be kind to yourself and set small goals. Secondly, create a daily activity sheet. It’s important to get physical exercise within the home itself. You should also have a network of friends. You may reach out to your college or School counselor. You may also call on helplines to share your fears.

This is also a time for upgrading and upskilling. Join many of these free online courses and seminars to learn more. You can also find a mentor. Try starting a new creative hobby like sketching.

Don’t forget to reach out to NAMI INDIA.

Cheers.

The poem stresses that freedom from fear is an important part of being independent. Many mental illnesses show symptoms of a fear psychosis, which result in socially unacceptable behavior. The root cause is fear. Fear of being attacked, followed etc. are some common delusions which occur.

How can we get rid of fear? One strategy is to acknowledge fear, and also envision the worst that can happen. Ask oneself. What is the worst that can happen? Be prepared for it. If one leads an honest life, one can be free of fear. Fear is also a result of symptoms of guilt. Some children have poor growing environments. They may be subject to abuse and this results in some form of guilt and fear.

Mental illness, often being episodic and unpredictable, evokes the full range of emotional responses, including anger, grief, embarrassment, shame and despair. A powerful strong emotion that is often presented is guilt. A person’s sense of guilt usually relates to their moral code.

It’s important to seek counseling and therapy from a professional for overcoming guilt and fear. Seeking help is the first step. It’s important to acknowledge one’s guilt.

So what are you waiting for? This Independence day find your freedom to lead a great life ahead.

Cheers from the NAMI INDIA team.

It’s ironic that when it’s the time to feel ecstatic and happy, a woman who has just given birth has to go through times of feeling low, which would impact her motherhood style. Many things may be blamed on the new baby.

A new baby means less sleeping, more work hours, lack of help. In addition, if the extended family or spouse is not supportive, postpartum depression or baby blues may set in. Stress, sleep deprivation, fatigue all contribute to making a woman feel low.

How can we handle this without medication? First thing is to recognize it. Secondly, it’s important for the woman to get a lot of rest. In the past in Indian cultural traditions, the wife went to her maternal home for delivery and rest. With the break up of the joint family system, with nuclear families struggling in the absence of support and help. When the issue of a woman having to look after everything, postpartum blues set in.

Hormonal changes, physical changes, and stress all contribute to postpartum blues. If it does not go away, it becomes depression and one should seek help from a professional psychiatrist. So remember, when a baby comes into our lives, it’s a time to be happy stress-free, loving and ensure a harmonious and stress-free environment for the mother and the baby so that one can enjoy the process and the milestones of the babies growth.

Let us discuss some of these negative symptoms. Mental Illness is isolating. The symptoms of mental illness make it harder to get connected with other people and relationships break down.

The most frequent symptoms are not being happy, not enjoying things, not feeling good, and not feeling pleasure. One lacks the energy to go anywhere, for a walk, in the garden, visiting people, parties. It will also show that the person is unconsciously getting isolated by not responding to friends, family and then they give up and leave him alone.

A very typical symptom is not combing hair, not getting dressed, not taking baths, not brushing teeth. The person may not get out of bed for days. The stop doing chores like laundry, cooking, etc and they have lost all motivation in life.

Persons afflicted by mental illness are in their own world and they may not be listening to what the other person is saying. They may also misunderstand and get into frequent arguments with strangers.

Many people think all these negative symptoms are a sign of laziness. But this is not so. The problem is that the person looks physically alright and they are not doing anything except watch TV all day, play computer games or be in social media. This is actually a form of escapism. So if one understands then the person has to be taken to a doctor early on the identify triggers and start treatments.

The tobacco industry is a money-spinner for the capitalist owners and revenue-generating for the Government. The argument about employability does not hold good. Banning can be difficult because human beings want freedom of choice. We think we are rational beings. But are we really rational? Knowing smoking causes cancer does not stop us from trying it as well as being addicted to it. And then we become tobacco-dependent.

In India, chewing tobacco is a tradition in many communities especially those with long hours of work. Tobacco is chewed by many auto and taxi drivers. They couldn’t function for long hours without it. Young children also chew tobacco as a substitute for food. Tobacco kills hunger.

The Government of India has a Tobacco Cessation Program and we suggest that you register for it and try to give up smoking. Make this your 2020 Lockdown resolution and best of luck.

Cheers from Team NAMI INDIA

The trauma is too much to handle. We also observe that some people are resilient and some just breakdown. This is known as PTSD- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It could occur due to natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes. It could also occur to refugees fleeing civil strife. PTSD also happens during epidemics causing fear.

The good news is that PTSD is treatable. PTSD also occurs after violent events like riots, pogroms, etc. It’s important to realize that such an experience does not allow you to become normal for a long time. People may get vivid flashes from the past. People suffering from the condition can have frightening thoughts and memories of what happened, which can make them emotionally numb at the moment. It is important to acknowledge past events and get treated with medication and psychotherapy. One can identify triggers and ensure that we are not triggered in any way.

The biggest victims are health care workers, police, social workers and other frontline workers who are seeing things like death, isolation, heartbreak, and despair at close quarters. While others who watch on television or social media are advised to avoid news that could trigger them. Besides the financial costs of COVID, the emotional costs cannot be calculated.

Just yesterday in Mumbai, an alert policeman saved a woman from drowning after she attempted suicide when her husband passed away due to COVID. Please be alert if you see someone spiraling down post-trauma of losing someone to COVID and do reach out to us at NAMI INDIA.

Team NAMI INDIA

Fathers day is just around the corner. While odes have been written on Mothers the fathers are often the forgotten species. On this day, I would like to remember my father who was a key cornerstone of my recovery into happiness.

Being of an intellectual bent of mind and compassion personified, my Father thought he may never see me alive. He thought that he may receive a phone call of my death. Considering this is not unusual, only his prayers and love kept me afloat.

Fathers can be great parents. Contrary to the disciplinarian parenting style of hard love, my father believed in the non violent, discussion based parenting and it worked. We never did need the feeling to rebel actually. Being a Father, transparency, honesty and leading by example are key virtues to have.

Fathers often have the responsibility of being the main breadwinners. They have to undergo the stress and strain which it entails. The difficulties outside the home, the office politics, the disappointments in business of an order lost etc.

Many fathers do not allow their children to be affected by these stresses and strains and they need to be honoured for this. So here is wishing all Fathers who loved their children and spent a major part of their lives being a strong parent.

Happy Fathers Day to all from NAMI INDIA.

The theme for World Environment Day 2020 is, ‘Time for Nature’, with a focus on its role in providing the essential infrastructure that supports life on Earth and human development. Environment both physical and mental plays a great role in healing.

Many mental situations are triggered by bad environment. Everyone is usually prescribed a vacation or holiday for a change. For some people a more permanent change of environment is required to start life anew.

A new place away from negativity can be a great mood uplifter. Some like the seaside, some the mountains and some the jungles. India is a beautiful country. This lockdown has shown us the beauty of nature, of sparrows twittering, flamingos returning to mangroves and crows and koyals giving their songs and speeches.

Beautiful sunrises and sunsets all the to be captured in silence. The calm in the mountains and the simple joys of a hot piping joy in a dhaba. It’s the small things that keep us going.

So make sure when the chips are down you connect with nature, even through your window and breathe in the peace and calm which comes with it.

Phir Milenge.

Taking your medications regularly and following healthy mind practices is the key to riding out this pandemic. Whatever be your condition, we suggest a few things to ensure that you stay stable.

Firstly ensure you do some physical exercises every day. Even while sitting or sleeping one can lift one’s legs to and fro. Arms can be lifted to and fro. In the Indian context, the best exercise may be yogic pranayama and Asanas which are easy. Remember to keep fifteen minutes of your time for doing exercises or Yoga. Those of whom like more active stuff, you may turn on an aerobic video or just dance away to some foot tapping music. If you are in a containment zone, you can only do so much at home.

Secondly, please keep a thankfulness journal. Write down something good that happened today.
What you have, for example a roof over the head, your medications, good food etc. This will help uplift your mood.

Thirdly, phone a friend. If you don’t have a friend you can always call or email NAMI INDIA. We are here to assist you and connect you to resources.
With this, I sign off.

Phir Milenge.
Akila Maheshwari
NAMI INDIA