2 Namma Bengaluru THE ECONOMIC TIMES | BENGALURU | FRIDAY | 7 APRIL 2017

Try This | Dance Show City in Numbers Danish Sait @DanishSait The National Gallery of Modern CRORE Art and Aatmalaya Academy of Art and Culture Trust will FUNDS GIVEN BY THE STATE Looks like God’s instagraming present a Bharatanatyam per- TO THE CITY CORPORATION The Sepia Tint on Bengaluru formance, Bindu The Mystic FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS Do, that intertwines Tantric ` modern art with dance. At the BETWEEN 2012 AND 2014 looks lovely K auditorium, NGMA Bengaluru. 6.5 On April 9 at 5pm.

magine not being able to lift yourself from bed; having no Busy B interest in work, food or Imeeting people. What it Weekend Delights in Bengaluru would be like if you felt and genuinely believed that you have no future worth living for? EVENT Imagine feeling perpetually sad despite having a seemingly ‘good EQUAL by RangaShankara enough’ life. These are some of the symptoms BACK FROM of an illness that people have just started taking note of: depression. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of depressive disorder cases re- corded in 2015 was 4.5% of the Indian population. That translates to over 5.66 crore. What’s more, in- stitutional mechanisms in India are grossly inadequate to handle THE BRINK these numbers: the country has A three-day theatre and arts biennial only 3,800 psychiatrists. On World Health Day, Mental Health Statistics EQUAL at Ranga Shankara will attempt Depression is such a common ur- WHO DATA to break out of rigid identities that men ban problem today that people dis- and women are trapped in by raising Divya J Shekhar, According to the World Health Organisation’s 2015 figures, cuss it on social media and at questions about an unequal world. The the total number of people living with depression in the events at the same frequency as Nirupama V and first day will be on power of gender ste- they talk about the weather. world is 322 million — 18% more than it was a decade ago. The total cases of depressive disorders in in India were reotypes, the second will explore wom- However, mental health profes- Smita Balram look at en at work, while the third will present sionals and survivors believe it is 5,66,75,969 (4.5% of population) a rainbow range of alternative genders time we move beyond just talk. and sexualities. April 7 to 9. 12 noon “When you are battling depres- what it takes to push onwards at Ranga Shankara. For more sion, the crucial first step is to un- NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY information and tickets visit www.ran- derstand and acknowledge that the narrative on Nimhans released the findings of the the first Nation- gashankara.org and bookmyshow.com there is a problem. And when you do al Mental Health Survey last year. It found that so, there is no need to beat yourself depression beyond to it. Just think only about your well- Nearly 1 in 20 people suffer being and reach out to whoever is public sloganeering from depression and that 1 in VISIT willing to hear you out,” said 40 had suffered in the past Nandini Swaminathan, fashion Cartoon Exhibition blogger, Sartorial Secrets, who suf- Depression was reported to be fered from depression while pursu- THE WAY OUT higher among those residing in ing a mass communication course urban areas in Puducherry in 2009. What you can do if you think you Found to be more in females The Delhi girl was slut-shamed are depressed for hanging out with guys and her Talk to someone even if it is just a Depression and cancer are choice of apparel. Back home, the you trust with your short walk known to coexist family just asked her to “snap out feelings Stick to regular of it.” “They never understood un- Nearly 80% people have not eating and sleeping til they saw my struggle spiral out Seek professional received any care of control. They help — every major habits accompanied me hospital has a Accept that you At its worst, depression can lead Depression is psychologist or might have to suicide, which is the second to a therapist. I The Indian Institute of Cartoonists (IIC) such a com- have recovered, psychiatrist and depression and leading cause of death among will exhibit select political works of leg- mon prob- but still under there are online adjust your 15–29-year-olds worldwide endary cartoonist CJ Yesudasan. Born in lem today treatment. counselling expectations in Every year, close to 1 lakh people Kerala, Yesudasan, a former cartoonist that people Swaminathan resources school or work commit suicide in India discuss it on with The Week and Malayala Manorama, observed that the Keep up with Avoid or restrict social media IT city is filled won the Lifetime Achievement Award in activities that you intake of alcohol or as they talk with migrants HOW TO TALK TO PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION 2001 from IIC. April 8 to 22 (except Sun- used to enjoy when any non- about the like her who often days), at the Indian Institute of Cartoon- you were well prescribed drugs weather feel a sense of Don’t trivialise what they are ists, Midford Garden, Off MG Road, 11.30 loneliness arising Keep in contact If you feel suicidal, feeling. Instead of asking them to am onwards. out of the rootlessness. According with family and contact someone cheer up and move on, empathise to the National Mental Health friends for help Survey 2015-16 conducted by the Exercise regularly, immediately Don’t joke or be National Institute of Mental WORKSHOP Health and Neuro Sciences (SOURCE: WHO) sarcastic (Nimhans), one in 20 people suffer Clay Play from various levels of depression. What we need in our Don’t push them to talk. Let The crux of the issue, in most cas- them know that you are willing es, is the absence of a listening ear. society is people with to listen when they are ready Look at the recent suicide of both empathy and Bengaluru boy Arjun Bharadwaj (SOURCE: WHITE SWAN Don’t blame whose last few Facebook posts knowledge on mental FOUNDATION) them or be were a desperate cry for help. health. We can all critical of Observing that 80% of mental contribute in a positive their behaviour. Instead of statements like “I’m tired health patients do not receive any manner but lack of care, Dr G Gururaj, HOD, of you behaving like this” Working with clay is a great way to de- Epidemiology, Nimhans, said, knowledge can lead to you or “You’ll never change”, velop motor skills and self-expression “There is a need to strengthen the contributing in a negative way. The give positive assurances. in children. And, if the entire family can entire health system to meet the Basically, don’t judge work to create something they can take existing demand.” He noted that role of gatekeepers (those who home as a souvenir. The workshop will schools and workplaces continue identify people with suicidal tendencies to dismiss and disregard people teach basic techniques and also allocate with depression, which is why and reach out to them) is extremely important. You can an individual table to build something there needs to be more open dia- take a workshop/training on how to identify those in fun and creative using clay. Open to families with at least one child above logue there. trouble and how to talk to them Online mental health platforms the age of four. PEP School V2, HSR lay- are attempting to bridge this gap by —MANOJ CHANDRAN, CEO, White Swan Foundation out Sector 2, April 8 from 4 to 5:30 pm. offering security of anonymity. Entry free. City-based mental health app has paid off and today YourDost clocks 1,800 counselling Maheshwari’s mother leads a nor- ‘I was a Different Animal’ sessions per day, 20% of which come mal, healthy and productive life. from Bengaluru. “Internet mental Single parent Yasmin Sait saw MUSIC health services are not here to re- her 10-year-old daughter — who is home was laborious. The boarding school the other hand, pulled me out of it. Ultimate Elton place face-to-face communication now successful in her high-strung By Invite boy, who was adept at making his own I am happy to see people in the pop cul- but they also go to show there is a big acting career — undergo depres- bed, was now living in a pile of garbage. ture speaking openly about their depres- need for counsellors. During the sion at a time when the term was Taking the Metro ride was like climbing a sion battles, over social media. On the oth- course of online sessions, we en- not a part of mainstream vocabu- mountain. I preferred the long taxi ride. er hand, the Arjun Bharadwaj suicide courage users to stop fearing the lary. “As a caregiver, you must not At work I did nothing, literally. Deviation case has compelled me to think how the stigma and reach out to their near make the patient feel that she has from my normal life was evident. In an- basic essence of living is lost due to social and dear ones.” any illness. Be their friend and ger, I would break things. I was a different media. There is so much angst on social Caregivers, usually family mem- keep communication open. Be the animal. platforms. Our children are exposed to bers or confidantes, do not have it calmer one and give constant reas- My sister, who was vis- negativity all day long. Parents need to easy either. “My mother had be- surance and instill confidence.” There is so iting me from India, communicate openly with their children. come a social recluse, she stopped At the macro level, the way for- much angst sensed the dark waters I Schools and colleges must create a com- communicating with her family ward would be setting up of peer DANISH SAIT on social was wading in. She in- passionate environment rather than and even tried to commit suicide. support groups where patients, platforms. formed my mother. Our drive students to excel. Her treatment for depression re- caregivers and anyone interested Our children telephone conversations Life is like a Youtube video. It may go vi- lapsed three times. We constantly can talk, listen to and understand 011 was a year of lows. As a 24-year- are exposed were marked with cry- ral or it may just have a limited audience. If you’ve loved Sir Elton John, then here’s lived in the fear of when she would depression. Alternative Law old radio jockey in Bahrain and to negativity ing spells. My mother is It is okay to have downtime. Optimise 2 an opportunity to watch someone who attempt something drastic,” said Forum’s Deeptha Rao, who is part Dubai, I hosted a show with a star all day long a single parent. I won- what you have. Value relationships. Yale-educated paediatric cardiolo- of one such support group here, presenter and constantly needed assur- dered if she could sup- Family, that seemed uncool during the not only looks like him, but also sounds gist Sunita Maheshwari, who re- said, “Discussing mental health is ance and appreciation. Impatience and port me if I quit my job and returned to teenage years, is my all. You can commit a like the legendary musician. Paul Bacon of calls the gruelling days when her personal. Unless there is an audi- desperation to be successful drained me India. I was lucky. Everything fell in place crime but you will definitely get a hug the Ultimate Elton and the Rocket Band, mother suffered from severe de- ence that listens without judging drop by drop into a state of depression. when I returned to Bengaluru. from your mother before you go to jail. known to be one of the leading tribute art- pression. “We would never leave or discriminating, these conversa- I put on an insane amount of weight. I met a psychiatrist in Koramangala. I Life is like a boxing game. You are going to ists in the world, will perform in the city. her alone at home. The worst was a tions will not happen. Along with Picking up a ringing phone next to me wrote affirmations on my bedroom walls. get punched. The thing is to hit back, April 7 and 8, at Chowdiah Memorial Hall feeling of helplessness. We did not systemic hierarchical medical set- was a herculean task. Trashing a restau- Battling depression is a double-edged hard, and return with a bang. and MLR Convention Centre: Whitefield, know how to make her feel better.” tings, informal support spaces are rant bill in the wallet was burdensome. sword. Knowing that I had a problem was (Sait is a radio jockey) Bengaluru. For tickets and timings see Patience, support and medication the need of the hour.” Even taking off my shoes when I returned half the battle won. Family support, on (As told to Smita Balram) bookmyshow.com ‘Bengaluru Gets Work Done Without Any Aggression’ HIGH-FIVE WITH Wh a t m a k e s B e n g a l u r u Ugadi always feels new. I think it has I’d also do something to improve the and Sudha Murty. To me, they symbol- days and the city has given me a career 1 tick? a lot to do with the fact that I never traffic situation — every Bengalurean ise strong and successful woman en- that I’ll always be grateful for. I’ve been Bengalureans are laidback and peace- came into close contact with the festi- has the same grievance: they spend too trepreneurship in the city. Additionally, able to work with some of the icons KAVITA ful while simultaneously scaling great val until I moved to Bengaluru; it was much time on the road! I’d definitely despite their achievements, they con- in the industry and sing some of the KRISHNAMURTI heights in terms of their achievements. exciting to hear that there was a new take up an initiative to improve the tinue to remain humble and down-to- best songs of my career thanks to the It’s this attitude of getting work done occasion to celebrate every year. It be- roads and reduce the time and energy earth. They represent the best of what dynamic, go-getter nature of Mumbai. SUBRAMANIAM, without any aggression that I really ad- came a unique part of my experience spent navigating traffic. the city has to offer — a combination of I’m also extremely fond of Kolkata. PLAYBACK SINGER mire about this city. And the weather. as a Bengalurean and helped me feel leadership, success, and the gentleness While I have never lived there, I visited There’s nothing more quintessentially like part of the city. Who is your favourite of the south Indian tradition. the city a lot and have been raised by a Bengalurean than enjoying the breeze 4 Bengalurean? Why? Bengali aunt. Additionally, I started my with some wonderful company. If you were the dictator of I would pick two iconic Bengalureans as If not Bengaluru, which city career with musical legends like Manna 3 Bengaluru, what is the first my favourites — Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw 5 would you like to live in? Dey, Hemant Kumar and have had very What is your favourite thing you would do? Despite my travels, I’ve always felt a pleasant associations with the people 2 Bengaluru moment? When I first moved to the city, I remem- CUT TIME SPENT ON ROAD sense of relief and homecoming after of the city. The city also has a unique While I don’t have one specific mo- ber being overwhelmed by the cleanli- returning to Bengaluru. That said, if I culture and ambience, combined with A CANDID CHAT ment, Ugadi has always been a magi- ness. Unfortunately, that has changed a We need to reduce the had to pick an alternative, I’d pick two the best food, which is why I would also ABOUT WHAT MAKES cal time for me, year after year. Even lot over the years. The first thing I’d do time and energy spent cities — Mumbai and Kolkata. Mumbai consider Kolkata as an alternative. BENGALURU A though I’ve been in the city for over is clean up the city and give it the same will always have a special place in my FAVOURITE CITY 16 years now, the excitement around beautiful look it had a few decades ago. navigating traffic heart; I’ve been there since my college [email protected]