In our society there is a proud saying, “Behind every man there is a woman who supports his success." But only that woman knows what she is going through.
She plays many roles as a mother, sister, wife, leader, employee, housewife, and so on, and she is flawless in doing it. She goes around the house as if she had multiple hands and legs, taking care of every person in the family. In the workplace, after every person pulls her legs down, she struggles, fights and tries to prove herself and proves her worth many times to get recognition.
We talk about physical violence and sexual harassment both in her trusted place and also in her workplace. But we often fail to ask an equally important question: Is she mentally strong? Is she emotionally supported? Mental health struggles among women are real and rising.
Mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, burnout, and exhaustion are actually becoming silent companions for women nowadays.
She even tries to get out of the situation and pull herself up to bounce back again. It is helpful sometimes, but she fails most of the time. Because whenever a woman suffers from mental struggles, the society stigmatises her for overacting and overreacting and considers her to have mood swings; in reality, she actually needs help.
And
surprisingly many women don't speak their problems out loud; they suffer
internally. The mental health crisis among women is not merely a personal
issue; it is a social justice concern. When women’s mental well-being is
neglected, families, communities, and nations suffer. Recognising, respecting,
and responding to women’s mental health needs is not optional. It is essential
for building a compassionate and equitable society.
Only when we listen without judgement and support without stigma can the hidden struggle finally come into the light.
Myself having a background in legal studies, have always wondered why there is a lag in creating laws that support not just women but everyone for that matter regarding mental sufferings. I actually have thought many times strict penal punishments are necessary even after the current ones proposed here and there.
Let us
unite, manifest and work for the legal touch to glorify without any lag.
Assistant Professor in Law
Ms Hari Priyaa M