Mental Health experts gauge the effects of the #MeToo Movement

Though the #MeToo Movement has arrived around a year later in India after it made an impact abroad, it has gripped the nation’s imagination and the online space as well. With so many stories spilling out in the public domain, it has not just had an impact on the accusers and those accused, but also on those who are consuming all this information that’s coming their way at neck-break speed. After Hrs spoke to mental health experts to gauge the effect the Movement is having even on common people.

TRIGGERING PAST MEMORIES

Hearing about such incidents has also resulted in awakening people’s past demons. Sneha Meshram, a manager with a private bank, says, “I have faced sexual harassment, too, twice as a kid and once at my workplace. Following up on the happenings have brought up my past memories. I feel really disgusted to think about it."

Clinical psychologist and trauma therapist, Seema Hingorrany, has encountered four #MeToo related cases per week and though she has been dealing with victims of sexual assault and harassment before, she, too, has witnessed a sudden spike in the past two weeks. She lauds the Movement, but also shares that it is causing chaos. “Many people, who are witnessing the constant barrage of revelations and are completely hooked to it, are having their unprocessed memories of what they have faced similarly in the past, triggered. Patients who are seeing me for other reasons are calling me to discuss their sexual harassment traumas. They are confused about whether they should or shouldn’t call out their perpetrators. They feel anxious, angry and have a lot of bottled emotions in this high-intensity atmosphere,” she shares. Even family members and friends are helping survivors approach health experts to help deal with their past trauma.

MORE PEOPLE WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT

Experts in the city are witnessing a spike in the number of people who want to speak about this particular phenomena. In addition to her usual clients, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, Mansi Hasan has dealt with about seven cases last week that has its root in the stories that have become public knowledge as part of this movement.

“Women are concerned and anxious. It is something that can happen to any lady at any point in time. For the ones who have gone through it, it is traumatising to hear about such incidents as it makes them relive their own abuse,” informs Hasan. But she also feels the #MeToo movement is a great outlet. The fact that women are talking about it openly, takes away the shame and the discomfort associated with talking about such matters.

ANXIETY AMONG OTHER WOMEN, TOO

A lot of people are in shock with the revelations that are coming out, both men and women, for different reasons. The kind of stuff that is coming out and because of social media, it’s all over the place. Experts in the city say, women, who haven’t been directly affected, too are anxious.

“Shocking is not even a word when you hear such revelations. I know almost all of us have faced some kind of harassment. But to such levels is not acceptable. I don’t know whom to trust now,” says Farah Qureshi, associate creative director, with a post-production film house.

How does one react, when an acquaintance has been called out and shamed publicly? A female journalist on the condition of anonymity says, “I read some nasty details of certain acquaintances who thought they could get away with their sleaziness because of their position. It’s hard to watch educated men, who pretend to hold the baton of feminism, exposed. Firstly, if they can do this to confident women, God knows how many vulnerable women they’ve targetted. And secondly, how many more friends/acquaintances are actually pretending to be     allies of feminism, but are actually sexual offenders.”

SOME MEN ARE SCARED

Psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Dr Anjali Chhabria has witnessed an influx of two to three #MeToo-related cases per day. She comes across both male and female clients. Those who have been maligned, and are trying to prove themselves innocent, those who have defended others and have got the flack for it, and victims who have been at the receiving end of sexual harassment, who are worried that their dignity could be compromised.

“People are shocked and disgusted. Sexual harassment at the workplace is known but to what extent and the language that is coming out is indeed shocking. Some men are scared,” says Dr Chhabria. The fear of getting targetted is setting in among some guys, she feels. She recounts the case of one of her clients that of a male in his 20s, while visiting bars/pubs,  before buying someone a drink, is contemplating getting a consent letter signed by the other party to safeguard himself in case, he may get maligned later.

HOW TO COPE?

Seema Hingorrany, clinical psychologist and trauma therapist shares a few tips:

• Open up about your personal trauma. Speak to family, friends, and colleagues. If you find that difficult, talk to a mental health expert. 
   
• Similarly, family members, friends and colleagues should pay attention to their loved ones. If they have witnessed similar incidents, please talk about it to them or take them to a mental health expert.
   
• It’s good to keep track of things, but know where to draw the line. Don’t keep reading about it.