to help readers cope with their anxieties in these uncertain times the times of india has launched talk it out a series under which our panel of expert counsellors will answer your mental health queries this weeks advice comes from psychologist sukanya rayi have been in a relationship with a girl for almost seven years but her parents are marrying her off to someone else we always knew that our parents would never agree to our relationship but we are feeling heartbroken nowwe dont know how to move forward please help shubhami am sorry to hear about the heartache that you both are experiencing seven years is a long time to know each other and share a bond maybe it is time that you both ask yourselves what this heartache is trying to tell you most of the time our feelings are trying to communicate important messages to the conscious part of our minds but we brush aside our feelings as unwanted or being weak while society has programmed our minds to be rational and make sociallyconditioned choices the ability to love and be in a nurturing relationship is key to a fulfilling life unfortunately in this world most genuine things require a revolution indian parenting involves decisionmaking for the children many times not in their best interest you have the right to make your choicesi am a class xi student negatively impacted by the pandemic from a smart student i am turning into an average one i cant schedule my time properly or express myself in front of family and friends i am getting more aggressive by the day and have started losing all hope and just want to end this life right here i hate myself i have never been like this before what should i do disoriented studentthe current situation has been excruciatingly difficult for most of us listen to your emotional needs while it is indeed difficult to communicate our needs to others it is important to see if we are able to recognise them is it isolation that you really need or do you wish people understood you more frustration is inevitable the situation demands outofthebox problem solving be compassionate with yourself its not your abilities that have been impacted by the pandemic but your productivity while we need to remind ourselves that we will see the other side of this catastrophe please see if you can connect with a loved one or even a professional to help you sort your emotional needs right nowi am a 25yearold woman and a victim of child abuse i feel my parents are guilty of all that happened with me a few days ago my elder sisters marriage was fixed it makes me feel very jealous as she has become the centre of attraction in the family and i get ignored it makes me angry and i fight with them and then cry please tell me how to get out of thisanonymouswe are not in complete control of