Bipolar in India: A community comes of age

Three years might seem to be a long time but it certainly isn't, considering how fast a community has come up virtually from a vacuum! Since May 2013, when BipolarIndia.com was launched as India's first website in the area of mental health awareness founded by a Bipolar, we have made amazing strides forward. Initially, it was all about creating awareness and inspiring those afflicted with Bipolar Disorder and Depression and making them believe recovery was possible. Our efforts are bearing fruit as these conversations are gaining momentum.

On March 30, 2016, we displayed our true, glorious colours! It was World Bipolar Day and for the first time in India an event to celebrate the day was organised by us at Bombay Hospital. The response was heart-warming. Fellow Bipolars and their families travelled from as far as Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad to be with us. The evening was centred around raising awareness and banishing misconceptions about Bipolar Disorder, which comprised my presentation. The diverse mix of subjects addressed included ‘Sexuality and Bipolar Disorder’, Art therapy as an alternative healing approach and ‘Meditation in Movement'. A live, soulful rendition of an anthem for our community specially created for this day by talented musician Sharanya Natrajan evoked fervour. 

Image credit: Meena Jaiswal

What was truly a sign of a community coming of age was the inspiring story of Parul Jaiswal, a senior executive in the BFSI sector, who travelled all the way from Delhi to share it with us. Her soul-stirring story of great courage and resilience moved the audience. They connected with her as she recounted how she had been bedridden, crippled by depression and saw little reason to live. The transformation to what she is now has been an amazing journey. Parul attributes her turnaround to the inspiration she derived from our website as well as from my book, A Bipolar's Journey- From Torment to Fulfillment. While she graciously credits external inspiration for her fight back, ultimately she had that spark in her, the determination to see it through. If hers is the story of a hero, it is more so because she dares to share it with such openness.

Image credit: Meena Jaiswal

I could not have imagined such a gathering even a few months ago. For me, the triumph of the day was that around 15 Bipolar afflicted were present, some with their families. Various initiatives such as the Peer Support Meets, these columns and of course, our site, have made deep inroads. Awareness is slowly reclaiming the mind space doggedly occupied by stigma. Besides Parul, there were other surprises in store. I watched with pride as quite a few spoke up openly about their challenges. The most touching moments involved around a young couple. Shalini was asked how she dealt with the challenges presented by her husband being a Bipolar. Her response was simple and touching. "It hurts me watching him suffer. I tell him, do not bring so much pressure on yourself. Wake up at 11 am if you want to, do not go to work if you can't, whatever it is, we are in this together." Her words left many with a moist eye.

The panel discussion had eminent doctors Dr. Milan Balakrishnan, Consulting Psychiatrist at Bombay Hospital (who had also organised the prestigious venue) and Dr. Minal Joshi, Clinical Psychologist, answering the queries raised by those in the audience in depth. The day also saw the soft launch of our social start-up, LetsWalkTogether.org, focused on inclusive opportunities. It will be a platform to enable members of my tribe, those who do not easily fit in into the mainstream economy, to earn livelihoods. A case of a vast number of people with abundant talent and skill sets, but limited avenues to express themselves.

If the scenario was bleak three years ago, the horizon is now exciting!

So, Let's Walk Together.

The writer is an author, Inspirational Storyteller and Mental Wellness Catalyst.