Healing Begins with Courage
And courage? It doesn’t come from others — not even from those closest to you.
It comes from within.
Riya sat quietly in her small room, the usual clamor of her bustling household dulled by the closed door. Her eyes were fixed on her phone, finger hovering over the contact button for a mental health helpline. A knot of anxiety twisted in her stomach.
She had grown up in a traditional family, where words like depression and anxiety were either brushed off or branded as weakness. Seeking help for mental health wasn’t just rare — it was seen as shameful.
But Riya couldn’t go on like this anymore.
A Silent Struggle
Riya’s struggles didn’t begin in adulthood. They had quietly taken root during her early teens.
A high achiever, she had always been her family’s pride — the straight-A student, the polite daughter, the role model. Her parents often boasted about her successes, and the pressure to maintain that image became suffocating.
By college, it all came crashing down. Sleepless nights. Panic attacks. A constant, gnawing sense of worthlessness.
And yet, in her world, there was no space to talk about it.
When people around her expressed mental distress, they were told to pray more, to stay positive, or to just get over it. Therapy was out of the question. Seeking help meant risking the family’s reputation. The shame was too heavy.
Riya felt trapped — torn between her internal struggles and the expectations of the world around her.
The Turning Point
It wasn’t a dramatic moment. Just a quiet one.
Her best friend Ankita noticed the change — the withdrawal, the dull eyes, the forced smiles. She gently asked if Riya was okay. At first, Riya resisted. But eventually, the dam broke. Through tears, she finally told someone the truth.
Ankita didn’t flinch. She listened.
Then, she said something that changed everything: she had gone through the same thing — and had sought therapy. And it had helped her. Immensely.
That conversation lit a spark.
If Ankita could do it — and still be respected, still be herself — maybe Riya could too.
The First Step
With Ankita’s encouragement, Riya contacted a discreet mental health helpline. That first conversation with a therapist felt like a deep exhale. She poured out the emotions she had locked away for years. Her therapist listened — calmly, compassionately — without judgment.
In the sessions that followed, they explored coping strategies, tools for managing anxiety, and how to navigate the relentless pressure she faced.
Riya began to feel… lighter. Stronger.
Fear, Again
But as relief set in, so did fear.
What if her family found out?
She was Riya, after all — the golden child. How would they react to the idea that she needed therapy?
But slowly, Riya started to see what was always true: seeking help is strength, not shame.
With time, her confidence grew — not just in managing her mental health, but in owning her story.
Breaking the Silence
One evening, at the dinner table, she took a leap. Riya opened up to her family about her mental health journey — in simple, relatable words. She explained what anxiety felt like, and how therapy had helped her.
Her parents were stunned.
But shock slowly gave way to understanding, especially when they saw how much better she was doing. For the first time, they truly listened.
A Wider Lens
Riya’s story isn’t uncommon in India. Mental health still carries a heavy stigma in many communities.
But the tide is turning — slowly, steadily.
More people are sharing their stories. More are seeking support. And more are beginning to understand that mental well-being is just as important as physical health.
Organisations, platforms, and helplines are working tirelessly to ensure that help is available — and accessible.
You Are Not Alone
If you or someone you know is struggling, please know:
You are not alone.
You are not weak.
You are not broken.
Seeking help is one of the bravest things you can do.
iDare offers affordable mental health support through qualified, empathetic professionals. You don’t have to carry the weight alone. Take that first step — the one that changed everything for Riya.
This is your journey. Your healing. Your life.
And it begins with you.
If this resonated with you, show some love by sharing, liking, and upvoting — it might just help someone else find the courage to take their first step.
Image Credit: Unsplash