Unveiling Hidden Struggles: Understanding Mental Health’s Invisible Wounds – The Tribune

There are books that you read and forget. Then there’s Bandaged Moments, edited by Nabanita Sengupta and Nishi Pulugurtha. This collection of short stories by Indian women writers won’t leave your mind easily. It dives deep into the world of mental health, challenging societal norms and addressing pain, stigma, and survival.

India has a rich literary scene, but discussions around mental health often remain in the shadows. We talk about physical health openly but treat mental illness like a family secret. We hear whispers about neighbors or relatives suffering but rarely confront the issue on a broader scale.

What makes Bandaged Moments exceptional is its raw honesty. It doesn’t glamorize suffering or tie everything up in neat endings. Instead, it brings to light the complexities of living with mental health struggles. These stories remind us that mental health touches our everyday lives, whether it’s in the office or at home, revealing a deeply personal yet shared experience.

The title carries weight. A bandage protects but also hides wounds. Each story in this collection peels back layers, revealing truths most prefer to keep hidden. From the darkness of depression to the strains of caregiving, each narrative offers a glimpse into how mental illness is intricately woven into the fabric of life.

The anthology features a variety of styles. Some stories are stark and realistic, while others employ allegory or surrealism. Many don’t follow the usual path of illness, treatment, and recovery. Instead, they might end abruptly, leaving readers unsettled.

It’s significant that these stories are told by women. In India, women’s mental health is often brushed aside, deemed a sign of weakness. Phrases like “pull yourself together” permeate households, silencing genuine feelings. Here, the women reclaim their narratives, echoing a global movement of female voices on mental health that includes writers like Sylvia Plath and Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

This anthology reflects the social context of mental illness in India. Illness is seldom private; it spills into family dynamics, workplaces, and communities. One story highlights the gaze of a joint family where every breakdown becomes fodder for gossip. Another depicts the cold, bureaucratic walls of a hospital where a patient fights to be seen as human, amid layers of discrimination.

Experts warn that mental health in India faces a significant crisis. According to a 2021 Lancet study, nearly 150 million Indians need mental health support, yet many don’t receive adequate care. This highlights a systemic issue that’s not just personal but cultural and infrastructural.

The diversity of voices in Bandaged Moments is striking. Writers experiment with narrative styles, from reflective diary-like entries to fragmented timelines. Some use everyday objects to convey threat, while others incorporate mythical elements, making madness both relatable and distant.

As someone living with bipolar disorder, I resonate deeply with these stories. They echo familiar struggles—sleepless nights, the burden of expectations from loved ones. The narratives serve as a mirror, showing not just pain, but also resilience.

Engaging with Bandaged Moments requires sensitivity and openness. While it sheds light on mental health, it isn’t just advocacy; it’s storytelling at its most profound. Sengupta and Pulugurtha did a remarkable job curating these voices with intention.

This book doesn’t pretend to solve mental health issues in India, but it can ignite change. By shifting the narrative, it makes mental health a topic of everyday conversation rather than a hushed whisper. It reframes madness as part of the human experience, not an outlier.

When you close this book, you may feel unsettled. That’s intentional. It’s not meant to comfort but to challenge. Bandaged Moments is about dignity, courage, and the power of voices once silenced. After reading it, you can no longer ignore these stories. They linger, reshaping your understanding of mental health.

For more insights into India’s mental health landscape, you can refer to the World Health Organization and their reports on mental health trends and challenges.

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