When we face a lot of unfortunate events in our lives, revealing themselves at odd hours, we often get caught up in the situation and forget that there is a way out. Sometimes, if we are lucky enough, good things come knocking on our doors and we just have to embrace them with open arms.
Meet Rita (name changed), a 24-year-old graduate from the Indian Institute of Science/IISC. Hailing from Indore, she has roots in Bihar, where her family originates. Much of her childhood was spent in Indore, the city that witnessed her growth and silent struggles.
Rita’s family comprises her parents and an elder brother and growing up, she faced unique challenges. Her mother suffered from mental health issues, which left a significant impact on Rita’s upbringing. As a result, she became a very quiet child, often retreating into the world of painting and art to express her emotions.
“Art was my escape as it was my way of communicating when words failed me.”
It was during her college years that Rita first heard about YourDOST, a mental health support platform, from a friend. Her college had partnered with the organization, providing students with access to mental health services.
Rita was intrigued and decided to give it a try, preferring online sessions for a more comfortable aspect. Her counsellor, Ms Komal, left a lasting impression on her.
“She was an extremely nice person. I felt comfortable enough to share my issues with her without feeling worried about being judged.”
Rita began therapy at the start of the pandemic. She always felt different from her classmates as she had a quieter personality and struggled with social interactions. In grades 11th and 12th, she felt overly sensitive and found it difficult to socialize with her classmates and friends.
“It might have been my upbringing that I became an introvert. I was into only me and my things from when I was a child and it continued into my early adulthood too.”
Her mother’s mental struggles led to her father’s single-handedly raising the family, and it deeply affected her. She was extremely proud of her academic achievements in college, but by the time she reached her third year, Rita felt overwhelmed by daily routines and responsibilities. The onset of the pandemic only increased her struggles, leaving her at her lowest point in life.
“I lost interest in my artistic talents and studies and that’s when I realized I needed help and turned to therapy to manage my racing thoughts and overthinking.”
Ms Komal became a pillar of support for Rita, providing her with a sense of belonging and happiness. Komal also suggested several books and encouraged Rita to focus on the positives in her life.
“Interacting with Komal gave me hope and through our sessions, I started to experience positive changes, progressively.”
Rita began to notice significant improvements in her mental health. She became more self-aware and could process her thoughts better.
“I learned to analyse my feelings and pinpoint them more accurately than ever!”
This newfound clarity helped Rita regain interest in her passions and cope with everyday challenges more effectively.
Rita expresses immense gratitude for YourDOST and her counsellor, acknowledging that many students might not have the financial resources to seek therapy elsewhere.
“This platform and Komal ma’am provided me the initial push towards making things better for myself, and I’m immensely grateful for finding both.”
Rita rates herself a solid 4 out of 5 in terms of feeling better, emphasizing that improvement means becoming more expressive and reducing confusion.
We at YourDOST are confident that Rita is on her way to achieving even greater heights. We wish her all the best in her journey towards self-discovery and fulfilment!
Rita’s Warrior Tips:
1.“When you get access to platforms like YourDOST, do not hesitate to make the best use of it.”
2.“Accept your mental concerns and move forward on the path to healing.”
3.“Seek help from trustworthy friends or family and let your emotions out.”
