Human behavior

Depression : A mental state

Most of the young population of India are facing unemployment and bore the burning of inflation rate. In such conditions, there is a question with self, do my education has worth or not ? There are many factors that cause stress in modern life. Nowadays, the engagement with technology is increasing instead of people. It has impact on our thought process. For example I say, we are watching several things including photos, videos and speeches in large number on social media, after the repeated routine of it, our mind starts neglecting and forgetting many things and decreases ability to think rationally in the long run. Afterwards, we more focus on "success" (the ends) rather than the process of learning (the means). It leads to never ending aspirations; relationship issues; impatience during tasks; and too many choices and the limitations of the human mind to choose wisely. Some of this stress, if not handled well, can push human beings into depression. The main source of depression is the lack of meaning in life. Individuals who are able to discover meaning tend to achieve the will and strength to endure life.

Now question is, how do we find meaning in life ?

Meaning can be found in love and work. Love for fellow beings is what motivates a person to work or take action. If we can base our actions and work on a shared love for family members and society at large, we can find effective meaning in life. 'The Art of Living' involves managing the self for others.

Rabindranath Tagore believed that being socially connected was an antidote to the mental estrangement that plague affected people were undergoing in 1918. Tagore was aware that such a widely contagious disease was likely to cause panic among the students. He organised many events in the Ashram which ensured that social connections existed despite physical distance. In an essay, he suggested that we generate bonhomie between affected and those who were not, because the ill were not the enemy, the illness was.

Besides finding meaning in life, social connect is very important. I feel that positive and continuous communication is the key to end the misery of anxiety, depression and stress to be the well-being. I would like to request all the students, teachers, parents who are under any form of stress, or tend to feel depressed, to reach out and talk to people, whether family, friends, relatives or near and dear of one.

The onus lies on society and the immediate family to identify the unique talents in each member of society/ child and nurture them, so the people don't feel isolated. Individuals should work for the society and for themselves so that they are part of communities. The spirit of harmony between individual and society glued by communication is the best way we can overcome stress, anxiety and depression.