the double impact of the covid19 pandemic and the lockdown 2020s defining moments is going to be felt by generations not just in a physical and financial capacity but mental too the good thing however was that the conversation around mental health gained momentum during this period and the sushant singh rajput case took the discussion further that said it also revealed the glaring need for more sensitisation around the subject especially after a celeb tweet that read depression is a consequence of drug abuse several conversations around mental health emerged in 2020 there was advocacy as well as mockery but at least some noise was made says shikha verma a mental health advocate who has battled bipolar disorder lockdown the conversation starterwith people across the world cooped up at home emotions and confessions began to surface on social media in the aftermath of sushants death many opened up about their mental struggles management graduate pihu singhal shares i speak from experience that when public figures show their vulnerable side and talk about their battle with mental illnesses it helps normalise this conversation my friends were more understanding when i told them about undergoing treatment for depression they even shared articles about deepika padukone speaking about her mental health this also led to peers family members and others acknowledging the fact that many among them may need therapy as wellthe damaging effect of ignorance and how it can be countereddepression is a consequence of drug abuse read a recent celebrity tweet followed by a barrage of insensitive remarks on mental health and substance abuse on social media which added to the existing stigma and ignorance on the subject and revealed how misconceptions related to it continue to thrivedo not vimhans mental health rehab vimhansnewdelhi september 23 2020 while delhis vidyasagar institute of mental health and neurosciences vimhans was among those who took a strong stance against the tweet responding with a vehement do not several others took to social media to spread positive awareness and organised live shows with mental health experts to sensitise the massesdrug deaddiction expert dr radhika sathe lucidly explains positive conversations around mental health are much needed and id say people who are already experiencing mental health issues need all the love and support they can get in the world i can definitely tell that an atmosphere of hate will not helpit takes years to educate and sensitise people but just minutes to undo the progress a large population of our country loves equating mental health issues to weakness and subject those going through them to endless mockery we need millions of positive voices to strengthen mental health awareness says geeta pandey a mental health advocate who works on sensitisation