Storytelling by adolescent fellows
Case Studies
Topics: Adolescent Health & Wellbeing, Meaningful youth participation, Urban environments & climate
The adolescents fellows have written their first stories on their experience in conducting transect walks of their communities to understand the daily climate linked challenges faced. The stories have been published on YKA platform, and more such stories are now being written regularly by the fellows. Links of few such stories have been shared
“The mind is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be understood.”
Quality of life stems from activities shaped by thoughts, emotions, and behavior – psychology’s core focus. As an Indian psychology student, she constantly hears the dismissive phrase: “Psychologist matlab pagalon ka doctor” (psychologist means doctor for the crazy).
This reaction saddens rather than angers her, revealing how limited understanding of mental health remains in Indian society. The real issue is not mental illness itself but society’s failure to comprehend mental wellness fundamentally.
Breaking Stereotypes
Previous generations attributed different childhood behavior to “outside influences” rather than recognizing psychological concerns. Mental health conversations are finally opening in India, yet stigma persists. People still feel ashamed discussing emotional struggles despite normalcy of psychological challenges.
Psychologists help people understand emotions, behavior, stress, and trauma – universal human experiences. Seeking mental help represents courage, not weakness. Gen-Z better grasps this reality.
The Way Forward
Psychology should be integrated into education from childhood, teaching emotional management alongside academics. Breaking stereotypes requires listening empathetically and understanding without judgment.
Maybe our society will truly change the day we stop asking “log kya kahenge” (what will people say) and start asking “tum kaisa feel kar rahe ho?” (how are you feeling?)
Source: Youth Ki Awaaz