Crossing the deep waters of hesitation and vulnerability is undoubtedly a herculean task. Being scared and standing at the back of a crowd can be done by anyone, but it takes courage to seek support and prove yourself. This is the story of such a warrior who fought for herself, against herself and won this battle of thoughts!
This is the story of Khushi, a 22-year-old engineering student from IIT Roorkee who hails from Bihar.
Khushi was a quiet and introverted child at an early age. She had a supportive family consisting of her parents and two siblings; still, her mother was particularly strict about her studies, pressuring her to excel academically like many other Indian mothers.
“I was always the quiet one, buried in my books and often lost in my thoughts. My mother wanted the best for me, and that meant a lot of pressure to perform well in school.”
Despite the academic pressure, Khushi loves to travel, explore new places, read novels, and sometimes paint. These activities provided her with a much-needed escape from the stresses of her studies.
Khushi first heard about YourDOST from her college, which has a partnership with the organisation as their official mental health partner.
A friend who had benefited from the services encouraged her to seek therapy. She worked with Ms Reenita and Ms Deepti K Acharya, her counsellors, hoping to find someone who could understand and empathise with her struggles.
“My counsellors were very sympathetic about what I was going through, and I felt relieved just talking to them.”
Khushi’s reason for seeking therapy was primarily due to burnout. Despite being a hardworking student in her childhood, the transition to college life was overwhelming for her. The pressure to perform academically and the lack of a supportive friend circle made her struggle with the smallest of issues.
“I struggled to work, constantly overwhelmed and heavy with every small task. I didn’t have a good circle of friends to share my feelings with, and people around me constantly disapproved of me. This led to my low self-esteem and bullying in the classroom.”
The weight of these experiences took a toll on Khushi’s mental health. She felt isolated, alone, and far from home, which only worsened her doubts of worthlessness and stress.
“Being away from home and feeling so misunderstood by everyone around me made everything worse. I felt like I was falling apart, and no one could understand what I was going through.”
Deepti recommended several techniques to help Khushi manage her stress and emotions. Journaling and meditation were two of the key activities suggested. Deepti also introduced Khushi to body scan meditation and deep breathing techniques, which helped her connect with her emotions and find a sense of calm.
“I tried to journal my thoughts and meditate as Deepti suggested. It did help me feel more grounded and in touch with my feelings.”
Although Khushi wasn’t always consistent with these activities, she noticed positive changes in herself. The sessions with Deepti made her feel less burdened and more capable of facing her problems.
“I had some positive changes in myself, but I need to be more consistent with the activities to see more improvement.”
Despite the ups and downs, Khushi is grateful for Deepti’s support.
“Thank you for being more than a counsellor, for being like a friend who listened to me and helped bring positive changes in my life. I’m a little better because of her, but I know I need to continue working on myself to improve even more.”
Khushi rates her progress at 4 out of 5 and believes that improvement means facing problems head-on, being at peace with oneself, and proving one’s potential.
We at YourDOST are confident that Khushi is on the path to a brighter tomorrow, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours!
Khushi’s Warrior Tips:
1.“When everything is falling apart, and no one seems to understand you, take a step towards mental well-being.”
2.“Being far away from home can be challenging, but seeking help can change things significantly.”
3.“Focus on self-care and prioritise your mental health.”
Are you someone who has gone through a difficult phase and emerged stronger and better, with some professional help? Share your story with us to encourage thousands of others who might be struggling. Click here to submit your story.
