How Kusha Kapila And Dolly Singh Redefine Mental Health Narratives

Social media influencer and actor Kusha Kapila recently revealed her emotional journey in coping with grief after announcing her separation from husband Zorawar Singh Ahluwalia. In a heartfelt note, she described the complex emotions she's experiencing, likening the feeling of grief to being dwarfed by its weight yet also finding familiarity in the midst of it.

This Sunday, through her post, she expressed that it's like carrying something heavy and feeling small, and she finds comfort in things she knows well, like her favourite songs. Kapila also addressed the online bullying she faced following the separation, mentioning that some people were mean to her online, but she took steps to stop them from being mean.

The caption on the post just hit home: "Let’s file this under "Sunday evenings are the worst" 

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This recent post from Kapila reaffirms that she continues to stay genuine with herself and her followers by consistently expressing her emotions. She's been candid about body image, dealing with acne, and more and this isn't the first instance where she's opened up about mental health well-being. 

Kusha Kapila On Mental Health:

Moreover, in a time there's a growing need to create a genuine space where real issues, like mental health struggles, are openly addressed. In an earlier interview, Kapila highlighted how our society often lacks a focus on being sensitive towards others. She pointed out that, despite feeling confident, hurtful comments about appearance, common in many Indian families, can swiftly undermine that self-assurance. She emphasised that it might seem simple to brush off negativity by loving oneself and disregarding critics, but the reality is more complex. The impact lingers, causing individuals to replay hurtful moments and overthink before sleep. 

While the concept of remaining unaffected is straightforward, the emotional reality is far from easy, and I know countless other women out there can relate. It's this shared understanding of how much inner strength it takes to appear unfazed and composed despite the internal struggles we might be facing.

Kapila also shared that dedicating time to ourselves allows us to discover our personal desires and true selves. She continued by highlighting the next step, which involves managing our expectations and aiming for a more realistic perspective.

Talking openly about mental health issues and placing a strong emphasis on taking care of oneself, is a common conversation these days however, there are still individuals who perceive it as overly dramatic, especially when it comes from women. Even seeking therapy can be looked down upon, and seen as a source of shame or wrongdoing.

I've personally been in a situation where someone close to me made fun of me for going to therapy, making jokes that my generation has too much money to waste on something like counselling.

Dolly Singh On Therapy

Nonetheless, seeking therapy is just as crucial as taking medication when you're ill. In a recent interview with SheThePeople, another influential figure, Dolly Singh, who is a content creator and entrepreneur, discussed the impact of social media on mental well-being and highlighted the significance of therapy in today's world. 

She shared that in the past when she met people, they often felt disappointed as they anticipated her to match the persona of her humorous characters from her sketches. This experience left her feeling low and led her to withdraw from meeting new people, causing her to doubt herself. This was the turning point when she chose to seek therapy. She emphasised the transformative effect therapy had on her life and mindset. Singh now possesses coping strategies that assist her during challenging moments. She stressed that therapy doesn't necessarily involve crying for months before seeking help; sometimes, it's as simple as reaching out to a therapist who can lend an understanding ear.

Watch the full interview here.

To me, therapy is like a tool that helps people figure out their own feelings. It shows you that you're the only person who can help yourself overcome emotions. It's pretty amazing when you realise that you've got power within you. Therapy also gives you advice, tricks, and a safe place to talk about things. It's a way to stay mentally healthy and strong, helping you handle the good and tough times in life. And remember, asking for help is actually a sign of being really strong.

Fortunately, thanks to these creators, not only are the stigmas surrounding mental health being shattered, but they are also actively addressing how to manage it and highlighting its prevalence. Through open conversations and sharing personal experiences, individuals like Kusha Kapila and Dolly Singh are inspiring others to prioritise their mental health, seek support when needed, and ultimately lead healthier and more empowered lives.

Suggested Reading: ‘What If Grief Never Leaves?’ Kusha Kapila Opens Up On Mental Health