📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Coping with a child’s severe mental health condition is one of the most challenging experiences a parent can face.
Actor Kabir Bedi recently opened up about the loss of his son Siddharth, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In an interview with Digital Commentary, he revealed, “Mere bete Siddharth ki tragedy yeh thi ki woh bahut hi brilliant ladka tha. America ke sabse important information technology mein daakhil hue, aur phir unko schizophrenia diagnose kiya gaya (The tragedy of my son Siddharth was that he was an exceptionally brilliant boy. He got admitted to one of the most prestigious information technology programs in America, and then he was diagnosed with schizophrenia).”
He continues referring to a chapter from his autobiography where he opened up about his struggles as a father. “Yeh chapter ho maine likha hai apni kitaab mein about the final months of Siddharth, ek story hai ek baap apne bete ko suicide karne se kaise rok raha hai. Ab aap sochne ki koshish kariye kya beeti hogi mujhmein (I have written a chapter in my book about the final months of Siddharth. It is a story of a father trying to stop his son from taking his own life. Now, try to imagine what I must have gone through),” Bedi said.
He added, “Aur ant mein main yeh jung jeet nahi saka, aur yeh meri zindagi ki shayad sabse badi tragedy hai (And in the end, I could not win this battle, and this is perhaps the greatest tragedy of my life).
His heartfelt account highlights the immense hurdles parents endure while supporting their child through a complex mental health battle. The struggle involves navigating a labyrinth of medical treatments, managing societal stigma, and dealing with the profound sense of helplessness that often accompanies such situations.
Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Answer Room, tells indianexpress.com, says, “Taboos and stigma surrounding mental health challenges still prevail. Outdated beliefs and a lack of psychological literacy often guide societal perceptions. Understanding why something is happening or how to address it is particularly challenging when it comes to mental health. Some even blame the parents’ ‘bad deeds’ for having a child with such a condition, ignoring the biological, psychological, and environmental factors involved. This lack of support and empathy often leaves families feeling isolated.”
Parents often experience confusion, guilt, helplessness, and worry as they try to understand and provide the best care for their child. Accepting the diagnosis can take significant time and emotional effort.
Khangarot informs, “Long-term treatment, therapy, and medications can be financially burdensome, adding to the stress parents face. The onset of schizophrenia can be unexpected and difficult to comprehend, making it challenging to differentiate between normal behaviour and symptoms. This uncertainty often leads to chronic anxiety.”
Caring for a child with a long-term physical or mental health condition can cause emotional exhaustion. Parents may sacrifice their personal life, career, and relationships to focus on their child’s needs, leading to burnout.
The loss of a child due to mental health struggle is an unparalleled tragedy. “Family often needs a combination of personal therapy, brief counselling and community support to process the pain,” explains Khangarot.
Faith based practices, if it aligns with the family beliefs can provide comfort and meaning as well, notes the psychologist.
