Care Star D (For anyone coming from a Broken Home, Facing harassment and Depression)

This story is so empowering and also informative of what goes on behind closed doors. Children are the most affected by broken homes. Our care star is someone who not only had that growing up but also had harassment which is absolutely disgusting. A child needs love, care and protection. I am deeply touched by how D turned around her life. If any of you reading this can relate, please know that there is a way and if D could do it so can you!

While I understand that you cant mend your family situation please talk about it to people you trust as D suggested. Suffering in silence is detrimental. In terms of harassment, I can't stress enough the importance of consent. If you don’t like someone harassing you please speak up. I understand it is daunting but at least it will stop. If you can’t share it with your parents, share it with your friends and ask for their opinion. Society can judge but ultimately it is your life and you are empowered to make your own decisions.

I once again feel incredibly proud that D shared her journey. D you are not alone and most certainly have a friend in me each time you feel bad contact me. I will be there for you and so will your newfound Care FAM. Much love.

Who are you? Given where you are today, what was the most challenging experience you have had so far and how have you changed the situation around? (If you have struggled with mental health, please do share, so that someone like you could be inspired).

I'm just an ordinary female in this small world. For everyone, their childhood is the best part which they want to re-live but that wasn't the case for me. I was only 4 when I saw my parents fighting and saw their separation too - it's horrible to remember those emotions and feelings at such small age and due to that I was mature before age (which is not a good thing for an 8-year-old kid).

It hasn't been great - There was a time when I was around 10/11 years old, I was into depression and due to that it affected my health. I used to skip my meals for months and used to throw my lunch because I never felt like eating. But I guess no one knows at that age that they are going through a mental health problem. But as I grew up, I realised how precious life is and that not everyone is privileged enough to have food, clothes and shelter so I started accepting all parts of my miserable parts of life and promised myself to make things better for myself and for my grandmother who raised me and didn't make me miss the presence of a mother.

During my early teens, I was harassed by 2 uncle's too like most of the girls get in our society and the worst part was to deal with it on my own as I was super scared to tell it to my dad. I was an average student in school (getting below-average marks in exams, didn't participate in any sports or extracurricular activities and didn't even go on school trips). So with all these experiences, I have learnt one thing, you are on your own person- either you can ruin your life by cribbing about it or stand on your feet and make your life worth living.

Your mental health journey and how much has it impacted you in your life choices and decisions?

It hasn't been great - There was a time when I was around 10/11 years old, I was into depression and due to that it effected my health. I used to skip my meals for months and used to throw my lunch because I never felt like eating. But I guess no one knows at that age that they are going through a mental health problem. But as I grew up, I realised how precious life is and that not everyone is privileged enough to have food, clothes and shelter so I started accepting all parts of my miserable parts of life and promised myself to make things better for myself and for my grandmother who raised me and didn't make me miss the presence of a mother.

I'm a person who gets anxious very easily and in that moment I try to focus on the things which I have right now, the positive things - I know it's not easy but once you start focusing on good things you will forget about the bad ones (this rule applies for human beings too, if you focus on someone good quality you will not see there are bad qualities). Coming to the decision part, I always see whether any of my decision is going to impact anyone else’s life in a bad way. If it does, I try to modify it because at the end of the day you don't want to hurt someone for your own selfish gains.

Your tips and for anyone reading this

Don't take your mental health lightly, please it is my most humble request. It's as important as your other parts of our life. Have someone in your life, with whom you can talk about anything and vent out things, never BRUSH THINGS under the carpet that's the worst thing you will do with yourself. If you don't have anyone with you presently then write it down. Try to surround yourself with positive people (it can be friends, colleagues, or people you follow on social media) because your surroundings are going to affect your thoughts. Show gratitude towards the universe for the things you have. There are people who don’t have things that you have. Enrol yourself in some activity it can be cooking, painting, reading, exercise or anything which you like. It doesn't require a lot of money, start with the basics. But do start!

Your views matter, what do you feel could be added to make the participants of the project(care family) stronger? #becausewecare

Have engagement sessions may be weekly or in 15days via zoom or insta live - try to know what your audience wants from this platform.

Would you recommend the project to others?

Yes, I would