We encourage people to have a conversation about how they’re feeling.
But when they do, we tell them they need to grow up.
No not in an empathetic or sympathetic way.
We tell them they need to stop thinking.
We downplay their struggles, make fun of their troubles.
We reiterate that to be insecure is to be weak.
We remind them that being happy and optimistic should be the goal so if they aren’t able to pursue it, it’s because they’re just not trying hard enough.
We push them to believe they are just not thankful enough about the little things in life.
And then we say “inna lilah wa inna alihay rajioun”.
[ trans: "Indeed, to God we belong and to God we shall return.” ]
And then we want to know their story.
And then we want them to have felt loved and appreciated.
And then we say we wish we could have done something.
We don’t.
We type away, “...hey if you need to talk to someone, I’m here...”
But we never mean it.
The endless saga of brown people failing to comprehend mental health and concerns associated with it.
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If you are someone going through something, please approach people who have struggles of their own. They might not be in the right state of mind to get involved in your troubles.
But if they are, they’re really the only ones who will genuinely understand you, or at least make an effort to do so.
We agree because it's just a few words we're putting out there.
But we are not open to the thought having to do that.
And even if were genuinely concerned and not insensitive, we forget that dealing with someone such requires a lot more than just pure intent. Above all it requires patience and care.
The endless saga of brown people failing to comprehend mental health and concerns associated with it.
————————-
If you are someone going through something, please approach people who have struggles of their own. They might not be in the right state of mind to get involved in your troubles.
But if they are, they’re really the only ones who will genuinely understand you, or at least make an effort to do so.
