“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but about learning to dance in the rain.”- Vivian Greene.
Just like Harry Potter facing challenges at Hogwarts or Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games, we all have our own struggles. It’s these tough moments that help us grow stronger and more resilient.
This is the story of Shekhar (name changed), an 18-year-old engineering student from Andhra Pradesh at IIT Kharagpur.
In his childhood, Shekhar was a smart and enthusiastic kid. He had a good relationship with his family, but over time, things became strained, especially with his relatives. The transition from being at home to going off to college played a significant role in this shift.
“I was always interested in playing football. But the pressures and challenges I faced began to affect my love for the game.”
Now, Shekhar has found solace in going to the gym and playing musical instruments, which he has been passionate about since childhood.
Shekhar learned about YourDOST from his institute, which is the organisation’s official mental health partner. He sought help from Ms. Antima Jain, whose understanding and approach resonated with him.
“We were very much in sync, especially with the language we spoke. She really understood me.”
The reason Shekhar sought therapy was because of the unanimous concern from his friends.
“I think I’ve probably had depression over the last year or so. It was very much evident on my face and through my expressions.”
His friends noticed that he seemed constantly worried and confused, rarely smiling for extended periods. Meeting new people became a challenge, and his discomfort was visible.
“I remember one of my friends suggesting that I should get help because I would often talk without a filter, making others uncomfortable.”
The first six months of college were particularly damaging. He felt overwhelmed and struggled to cope with the new environment and expectations.
From January onwards, Shekhar decided to heal and improve himself. During his sessions with Ms Antima Jain, he learned several techniques to manage his stress and anxiety. One method that worked temporarily was using a stress ball to avoid pulling his hair, which had become a coping mechanism.
“There were times when I was very angry and would punch things. But just letting out my feelings during therapy sessions helped a lot.”
Journaling was another technique that Ms. Antima suggested. She recommended a book that resonated deeply with Shekhar.
“Reading about the experiences of a character who faced similar issues made me feel less alone. It was almost 90 per cent similar to what I was going through.”
Positive changes started to emerge in Shekhar’s life, making way through many of the negatives.
“I used to cry every week during the first semester, but that gradually stopped. It has been a slow, gradual process, but every session brought about a one per cent improvement.”
Today, Shekhar is immensely grateful for Ms Antima’s dedication and hard work.
“She has put in so much effort just to make me feel better. I will always be indebted to her. Her willingness to extend sessions and read through my lengthy messages outside working hours meant a lot to me.”
In terms of feeling better, Shekhar rates himself a 3 out of 5. He envisions improvement as feeling better about yourself.
Shekhar’s journey is an inspiration to hundreds out there who are trying to make it through the day. We are proud to be a part of his healing journey and wish him the best in the future!
Shekhar’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Go to therapy no matter the size of your problem, as it depends on each one of us.”
2.“Don’t wait for the “right time.” Therapy is about working on yourself while waiting for things to get better.”
3.“You can’t change others’ perceptions, but you can change your own perception of yourself.”
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.
