The news of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide shocked the entire country on Sunday, even as the tributes poured in from his fans, politicians and movie fraternity. The 34-year-old actor known for his charismatic grin, made a debut in acting with television but in no time entered Bollywood with Kai Po Che. Amid the recent deaths of actor Irrfan Khan, Rishi Kapoor and music composer Wajid Khan, the demise of Sushant Singh Rajput is another devastating news for the movie lovers in our country.
The talented actor who played the role of a protagonist in M S Dhoni: The Untold Story made the world sit up and take notice of his acting prowess, had established himself as one of the reliable, talented young actors, witnessed by the Indian film industry in the recent years.
The news reports suggest that the actor had been suffering from depression for the last six months and was getting treated for the same.
Ironically, the plot of Sushant Singh Rajput’s last film Chhichhore, revolved around the topic ‘suicide’, insisting that taking extreme decisions in life would serve no real purpose. Incidentally, the actor on June 8 tweeted expressing his grief and condolence, after his ex-manager, Disha Salian committed suicide from jumping off a building in Mumbai. And it was only last week, the actor posted a deeply emotional post, with a cryptic message remembering his late mother who passed away in 2002.
The suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput with an impressive academic and professional track record brings back the topic of ‘depression’ and the importance of ‘mental health’, in these days and times of extreme uncertainties. An All-India 7th ranker in AIEEE, a Mechanical Engineer by qualification, topper of Physics Olympiad and a talented dancer from the team of Shaimak Davar, Sushant Singh Rajput’s lifestyle and achievements might sound inspiring and enviable at the same time, but the fact that he suffered from severe depression stands undeniable.
Many celebrities including Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma, Varun Dhawan, Ileana D’Cruz et al have openly voiced on how they battled this severe form of mental disorder and urged those suffering from it come forward and seek treatment.
Unfortunately, depression is still not recognised or noticed as a medical condition by many, even by the educated. Psychiatrists suggest depression could be a result of many factors including bereavement in childhood, mental, physical abuse, sexual exploitation, unpleasant life events, menopause and a catastrophic injury in certain cases.
Few cases of depression could be even medicine induced like being on anticonvulsants, antimigraine, hormonal agents, antipsychotics for a long time, or could even be a result of substance abuse.
Ever since, the novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 has been announced as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization and with government clamping down restrictions on the movement of people, quarantines and lockdowns, the instances of mental health disorders too have increased at an alarming rate.
Many of us are still struggling with the ambiguity related to work from home scenario, everchanging job market, surviving on limited resources, unable to travel and inability to meet family and friends from other cities. Though technology is keeping many of us connected with our loved ones, there is no denying that panic, anxiety and negative thoughts related to isolation have crept into lives, leading to depression. Also Read: Depression: How To Recognise The Signs & Deal With It
Depression is common but many of us fail to understand it and often deny medical intervention. The signs and symptoms of depression could be very subtle to aggressive, but it can be easily managed with the help of counselling, medication and healthy lifestyle changes.
The Warning Signs Of Depression:
Extreme mood swings like intense anger, anguish, aggressiveness, irritability, restlessness are often the first symptoms.
Severe feeling of loneliness, sadness, loss of interest in meeting people even the loved ones suggest negative emotions.
Excessive consumption of alcohol, drugs, a sudden interest in highly risky, adventure sports are also considered as behavioural issues.
Physical anomalies like insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, pain, digestive issues, headaches etc are also usually noticed.
What Should You Do?
In case, if you are in quarantine, isolation, working from home away from family, uncertain about career plans, or often getting into a panic mode, seek medical treatment, right now! Also Read: Mental Health During Coronavirus Lockdown: Useful Tips To Maintain Optimal Well-Being Of The Mind
Stick To Your Normal Routine:
There is no denying that staying in isolation, quarantine, or working from home can make us lethargic but do not let that set in. Try and stick to your day routine, similar to the pre-lockdown days. Get up at the right time, eat your breakfast and login to work. Keep up with your lunch schedule, take a small walk in the house and treat yourself to a hot cup of tea and healthy snacks.
Keep Your House Tidy:
A clean home will always brighten up your life and induce positive thoughts. Keep your worktable clean, throwaway junk and make some space in the balcony. Make sure to eat at the dining table, avoid binge-watching and keep your bedroom uncluttered. Living in a closed, claustrophobic home can play havoc with your mental health.
Speak To Your Loved Ones:
Thanks to technology, it is easy to interact with your family and friends via video calls. Make sure to call regularly, exchange pleasant interactions, share jokes, beautiful anecdotes to stay happy. In case, if your apartment authorities or colonies permit, go for a small walk without disturbing or interacting with others.
Counsellors Can Help:
There are many organizations working for those suffering from mental disorders and the counsellors are available round-the-clock over the phone. In case, if you are experiencing severe anxiety, panic attack talks to them for relief. Sharing your true feelings, fears will often lessen the burden and help you feel at ease. If needed, seek help from your psychiatrist and start using medication.
Stop Obsessing Over COVID-19:
We all agree that COVID-19 is a scary virus claiming millions of lives around the world, but it should not dampen our positivity in life. There is no dearth for fake news and other forwards you might receive on your phone or other gadgets. All you need is maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, gloves while going out, intake of vitamin C for boosting immunity and above all, staying mentally strong to win over this pandemic.
For all the reliable information on COVID-19, read our articles.
