I Can Do It

By Reena Virk Saluja

October 10 is marked as World Mental Health Day. Like every year, it has a theme this year too which is - ' Mental Health in an Unequal World ' announced by WFMH President, Dr Ingrid Daniels. It focuses on reducing the gap between the 'haves' and the 'haves not' that is growing wider by every passing day in this polarized World and there is continuing unmet need in taking care of people with a mental health problem.'WHO' states that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people's mental health. The day provides an opportunity to come together and act together for mental health issues which, if not treated properly, can cause such people to experience stigma and discrimination. During October, people around the world also commemorate ADHD awareness month, Depression awareness month, National Bipolar Awareness Day. Please remember, my dear friends, depression is treatable. Medications, counseling, specialised psychotherapies and most important care coupled with positive attitude provide significant relief to pursue recovery in mental and substance use disorders.

Friends, I wish to share positive and healing words with you in a poetic version to uplift the woeful spirits n bless the souls !!! Make the journey of your life happy, healthy and contended !

                                                  I  CAN  DO  IT 

 ‘’Am I not worthy ?

Am I not capable ?

Can't I lead ? " 

These questions bother me sometimes

NO - actually, many times -

As I stand like a damaged object

Images and voices haunting me 

Like the pre-school rerun rhymes .

There are times when 

I contemplate often, " Why can't I do it ?"

But I have learnt now

Over a passage of time, to stand up

And fight my own battle - 

I know it will be challenging ,

Difficult ; infact a herculean task

And I might even relapse before I settle.

It,s OK, fine, even if I am alone ,

I can explain , I can manage ,

I understand well

Some days will be bad , some will be good - 

Problems will not vanish magically ,

I have accepted to love myself, whole of me

N live life at its fullest like I have understood.

I am pretty sure that when it's done - 

I will be happier, healthier, stronger

And recovered - So I have to keep fighting

Bravely, healing my wounds , head held high

With a positive attitude, coz I know now

"I CAN DO IT " - what was previously undone.

By Reena Virk Saluja