No Filter: Photos that attempt to show dangerous reality of greed

This month for #LetsTalk and #EndTheStigma I spoke to former RJ and popular theatre actor and singer, Sandeep John. 

He tells me, “Three years ago, I was in a tough place, I was dealing with a break up and several other things — clearly not very well. I didn’t let my close friends or even family know that I was going through a rough patch. I’m a creative person and a busy body; when I suddenly didn’t have the energy to do any of the things I loved, I just assumed I was having a creative block. 

Most of us don’t even consider depression as a possibility when we wonder what’s happening to us. 

It took me a while to let my guard down and speak to a friend because I was tired of feeling the way I did and I wanted to move on. My friend suggested therapy — all the social conditioning kicked in automatically and I was reluctant… why should I go for therapy, I asked. 

Finally, I found a way out and went for my first ever therapy session and I have to tell you, it was a giant load off my chest. 

Someone finally heard me and understood what I was feeling and going through.” Several clichés propagated by cinema come to mind of people lying down on couches staring at the ceiling and baring their souls to someone taking endless notes but Sandeep tells me that his doctor/ therapist didn’t tell him what to do but guided him through his thoughts and helped him figure things out. 

Being depressed is kind of like a ship with its navigation and control units malfunctioning and going to therapy is the like the technician who guides you through fixing the problem yourself. 

Even now, every once in a while, when he is feeling really low he sets up an appointment with his therapist and walks out feeling much better. We service all our gadgets regularly yet there is so much taboo about getting some help with our brains and how we feel — I wonder why. 

“In the circles that I move in I know several friends who have either been to therapy or are currently undergoing it and that’s normal. 

We don’t judge people for getting help when they need it and more people should be that way. In fact, today with all of our stress levels, peer pressure and the crazy expectations we set for ourselves, I think talking to a counsellor can help more people find equilibrium and happiness. Working out on a regular basis and setting a routine really helped me get back on track. 

The tools that I learnt at the therapist’s sessions come in handy till date,” he says. Sandeep is now happily married to a psychologist (a different one) and pursuing all of his passions.