Mumbai: Emphasising on the importance of mental health, Meta’s latest #UnGap chat series episode features actor Roshan Abbas and his daughter Ayatal Abbas initiating a conversation about ‘navigating mental health both online and offline.’
In this episode, Abbas and Ayatal share their personal experiences and insights into the impact of social media on mental health, as well as the importance of seeking professional help when needed.
Answering the question about mental health conversations with family, Ayatal shared that her mother had suggested she attend therapy. Abbas then mentioned that he may have sometimes been hesitant about his children seeing a therapist, but Shaheen (Abbas’s wife) has always been proactive and the 'Doer Parent’ in addressing such issues.
Continuing with the discussion, Abbas shared a touching incident that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, where his son wrote him a heartfelt letter expressing how he felt proud to see his father cry for the first time. Abbas then compared his generation to the present one, stating, “We were flawed too, but were never taught to own up to our flaws. Instead, we were told to keep sweeping things under the carpet. Our generation's mental health cues came from observation not conversation.”
During the conversation on how social media affects mental health, Ayatal pointed out that while social media promotes talking about and letting go of things, the reality is often different. "Like our generation, we may fight climate change, but we cannot fight our own emotions," she said. Abbas emphasized the need for taking breaks from electronic devices, stating, "If you keep eating for hours, you will have indigestion. Don't. There are times when you need to digest, and there are times when you need to starve."
Towards the end of the conversation, Ayatal revealed an emotional moment when asked about something she had never told her father. She was struggling to cope with personal issues and was hesitant to approach her parents for help. As a result, she resorted to self-harm as a way to express herself. Roshan added that after mental health became a more open topic of discussion, he began to understand why people often turn to such actions. “Everything eventually does work out,” Ayatal added.
