Mental health is something most of us have never given much thought to. It is only the extreme cases that are highlighted or treated. However, each of us experiences challenges that affect us mentally-challenges we must cope with or seek assistance for.
When I think about my life, my worst moments were during the long illnesses of both my parents and eventually dealing with their deaths. During their illnesses, I had to remain strong. In fact, strange though it may sound, I often had to be cheerful so that they would not be further affected by the stress of seeing me worried or in anguish. That was tough, but I was able to do it out of love for them. I not only took care of them, but I also shared memories of happier times in Hong Kong, the UAE, and Pakistan. It made them laugh and forget the pain for short periods. For me, it was stressful because of the effort I had to put in, but it was worth it.
After my mother's demise, I was heartbroken and struggled to cope with the loss. Having spent many years caring for her and spending every free moment in her company, I didn't know how to navigate life without her. I threw myself into my work at PSHA, leaving no time to dwell on the loss. People would remark that it seemed as if I was being chased by the devil. I would exhaust myself completely, ensuring I had no time to think.
Fortunately, my father's health was relatively stable at the time. However, my mother's death hit him hard, and he lost his zest for life. They had spent decades together, and although he once had very active social life, none of it interested him anymore. It was as if he had given up on living, which soon took a toll on his physical health. He became seriously ill, developed multiple health issues, and eventually suffered from a lung condition that left him bedridden. It was heartbreaking to see a man who had always been on the go lose his will to live. I cared for him and tried to lift his spirits but nothing worked. Eventually, he passed away at home one early morning.
The death of both my parents left me feeling absolutely alone, and it took me some time to accept this. My workload and the associated travel were helpful, and slowly I was able to get back into some kind of routine. I never stopped missing them, but it no longer affected me mentally. I did things in their memory that I knew would make them happy, and I believe that helped more than anything else.
Life has dealt me many challenges, but nothing has affected me as much as this.
80% of people with mental health issues are not able to access mental health services in Pakistan.
-The author is the Founder & CEO of Katalyst Labs and the Former President of PSHA & The Nest I/O.