TV actress Pratyusha Banerjee was found dead in her apartment in Kandivli, Mumbai on 1st April 2016 morning. She was found hanging from ceiling fan in her apartment. Her body was found by her boyfriend, Rahul Raj Singh who then took her to Kokilaben hospital in Mumbai.

Known by her friends in TV industry as a strong girl, Pratyusha had gained fame and popularity as ‘Anandi’ in telesoap ‘Balika Vadhu’ and later she was also seen in Bigg Boss 7.

The Police and Forensic team is still investigating her death but it is being suspected as a case of a suicide. This makes us think or ponder over probable circumstances which would have led Pratyusha, a 24 year old TV actress who had so much going for her in life, who had tasted success in such a young age.

Pratyusha’s sudden demise is one more incident, one more life which has been taken on the altar of suicide and self-harm. Our heart goes out to Pratyusha’s family and friends.

15 people commit suicide in India, every hour. The year 2014 – 2015 saw 1.31 lakh Indians committing suicide. Data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) said that 1 out of every 6 persons who took the extreme step last year was a housewife. (Source)

So where are we exactly going wrong?

Why is there lack of importance given to mental health of an individual?

Yes, life can be very hard some times. And we can never judge or realize the excruciating pain or unbearable circumstances that may have driven the individual to take a step as drastic as suicide. Sometimes, it can be just a momentary thought or decision that pushes one to end life. A regret always remains – wish there was an empathetic ear that would have heard the pain or a helping hand that could have just pulled that person out of that mental state for that while.

Are we lacking better measures and ways to mitigate crisis and mental depression or stress in our life?

How many of us find it OK to share and vent out our troubles to someone we love or we trust. Why we are always scared to talk about troubles or get help sometimes due to the fear of getting judged?

Taking help from a Counselor or a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist seems to be a taboo among most of Indians. (Mujhe kya zarurat hai, isse kya hoga?!)

The truth is, bottled up emotions just builds on frustration rather than doing anything good.

Talking to someone you love and trust could be the first and best thing one can do in this case. And if not, then there is nothing wrong in getting a help from a Mental Health Professional. You are just a human and it is OK to have meltdowns, breakdowns, troubles that seem just too much to handle.

Social Media Campaigns like the “Semi-Colon Tattoo” where people who had almost decided to commit suicide but held their calm and gave life another chance had recently come to fore with an objective to focus on Mental Health Awareness, Prevention of Suicides and making people realize how strong they can be. How a community, support group and most importantly an understanding family/friends can provide solace to a mentally troubled or hassled person.

As an individual or a spouse or a family member or a friend; it is really important to have space for those “awkward conversations” between us and our loved ones. Whether you are the one with the mental turmoil or a peer of someone who is going through a turbulent life.

Life is precious, let’s not forget that! 🙂