“On World Mental Health Day, October 10, let’s remind ourselves that it is okay to feel what we’re feeling, it’s okay to feel angry and infuriated and all the other emotions, and to remember not to measure your own progress through someone else’s yardstick; your journey is yours, own it.” ~KAVYA MUKHIJA
Imagine if every time someone asked me to be strong and never give up, I collected a Re 1 coin—I’d probably be a millionaire! But the reality is, for people with disabilities, earning a living isn’t always straightforward. It’s made me feel like life is a constant battle, and I must emerge victorious no matter what. But what if I just want a day off from fighting? What if I want to accept that there are limits to what I can do, and that’s perfectly okay? Would that make me someone who gives up too easily? Is judgment this easy?
While there has been a lot of awareness with respect to mental health and disability; the intersection has not been explored much. For people with disabilities, who comprise the largest minority in the world — more than 15 per cent — our invisible challenges fail to reach the surface and affect all aspects of our disabled lives. This World Mental Health Day, in line with this year’s theme — Mental Health is a Human Right — let’s deep dive into why mental health is of a greater concern for someone living with a disability and what can people with disabilities do, to manage their mental health better.
People with disabilities are constantly reminded to be strong, resilient, and positive, no matter the challenges. I’ve lived with a disability for 20 years, and I can attest to the power of will, self-confidence, and perseverance. But let’s face it—living with a disability can be exhausting. It means navigating countless barriers for even the most basic needs like education, employment, and healthcare. It means enduring a relentless battle for things that should be considered necessities, not luxuries.
Despite diversity being a cornerstone of humanity, society doesn’t always embrace disability. Strangers sometimes stare when I’m just being myself or enjoying life because apparently, a happy person with disabilities doesn’t fit the mold. It’s irritating to be denied access to restaurants, temples, cinemas, and other public places. Even planning a simple outing requires extensive research with no guarantee of accessible services. Accessing caregiving facilities is also a complex concern, influenced by factors like financial resources.
Due to these challenges, people with disabilities are more susceptible to distress, experiencing unhealthy mental health days five times more frequently than those without disabilities. It’s crucial to understand that our impairments are not our adversaries; the real stressors lie in societal attitudes. The attitudanal barrier in society. This aligns with the social model of disability, which posits that accessibility, acceptance, and resources can make our lives easier and more inclusive.
Inaccessibility in infrastructure isn’t our only source of anxiety; we also encounter implicit forms of discrimination. Strangers often speak to us as if we’re children or label us as “inspiring” and “courageous” simply because of our disabilities. People offer well-meaning advice, telling us we’ll “be fine” with time. If only they could step into our shoes (or wheelchairs), they’d see that we wouldn’t trade our lives for anything else. Let’s promote understanding, acceptance, and a more inclusive society.
being ritz 