Written by: Kajal Bastakoti - 21108, Grade XII
Posted on: 13 October, 2020
Today we all seem to be aware of mental health. But, as always we are only aware and we react to “Mental Health” by saying “Yes Mental Health”.The story doesn't end here because we don't talk about mental health openly. Have you ever talked with your parents about how things are going on in your life and Do parents actually listen?
Well, when it comes to listening, we Nepalese people seem to be too impatient. Ever put your opinion with your parents? You haven't finished yet and you get in reply: “Dherai Janne Bannu pardaina” and even sometimes when you are saying something that is the truth but our elders can't accept it. It doesn't only apply to our elders but even we youngsters can't accept what our parents say. What we are still learning indirectly is “Never listen to anyone's opinion and you are always right” and we sure will pass it to future generations as well. We are so busy in raising awareness on social media and giving suggestions to people on how to take care of their children. I feel like we have even forgotten to ask our children “Chhora, how are things going? Chhori Sabai kura thik cha ni ?” Instead, we tend to give hour long talks on how things were during your time. It doesn't mean that your child doesn't need to know about the struggle and hard work that you've been through but what is the use of it when your child is mentally struggling for being bullied at school, is having a mental breakdown, got harassed and is not able to come up to you to share his/her Pain with you as you have already stopped them from deep inside their hearts and also filled them with the fears with your just one word “ chup” . It is very important to know that, when you forbid your children to have a normal casual talk with you and when you don't listen to them, you are creating a barrier that sometimes can't be broken between you and your child and there is going to be a day when your child is crying very deep inside won't come to you and say “baba malai yo kura chitta bujhena ” mamu malai yo problem parirako cha” but instead they are either going to suffer alone or take a wrong path and suffer for life.
But this doesn't mean that only parents have to listen to their children because it is very important to listen to what our elders say. They have gone through a lot and they have also been through the time that you are going through. But for a healthy relationship and better life, it is very much necessary for all the parents to listen to their children so that they can listen to you and vice versa because listening is very important. We need to listen first before suggesting. Communication between you and your child should always be two-sided. There are other factors like socialization and many more but we can only function properly when we are mentally healthy. So, Mental health is very important and it's time for us to understand each other and work for it.
(Note: Please note that This article is not about taking anyone's side and it is about playing one's respective role.)
