By Kavya Thathsarani

May might not ring any bells when it comes to mental health in Sri Lanka. It usually pops up more in October, when World Mental Health Day rolls around. This is evident in the flood of awareness posts that flood your social media, the campaigns that take place in universities or workplaces, and even the motivational YouTube videos or podcasts that you may have half-listened to while scrolling. But did you know that around the world, May is dedicated to Mental Health Awareness?

Why is it important?

Nowadays, it is not surprising that most of us feel depressed, anxious, and exhausted without knowing why or having a specific cause, because of the ongoing stress of growing expenses, academic pressure, social expectations, family obligations, hormonal imbalances, and even sleep deprivation. For this reason, it's critical that we look after our mental health. Coping is not enough; you also need to survive and present yourself in a way that seems authentic and well-rounded.

Although that is not the official recognition here, perhaps it ought to be. Because the majority of us in this society struggle more than we would like to acknowledge with anxiety, stress, burnout, and even despair. Even if posts about mental health appear on social media, we may like and share them with our closest friends before returning to our delusions of optimism. This is the thing that must be changed.

Start Small, But Start Now

May gives us the perfect opportunity to start that conversation early. Being honest with ourselves and our loved ones is more important than organizing a large campaign or going on a mental health walk, though both would be wonderful as well. It might be as easy as listening to your friend and asking them how they are truly feeling. Above all, take stock of yourself and attempt to understand that it's okay to feel bad.

Even though it is 2025, mental health still feels like a taboo topic in many households in Sri Lanka, and the younger generations are often left to figure things out on their own. We are told to stay strong, not to overthink, and the problems will simply go away. While there is value in faith and resilience, those alone are not enough to complete this path. We should always remember that mental health is not a weakness, but rather, a part of life and what makes us all human.

The Pressure to Be ‘Fine’ Online

Today, it is normal to compare yourself to others on social media, and this might make you feel overwhelmed and drained, as it comes with the expectation that you are supposed to have it all together, just like they do. Whether it's related to studies, work, or even being social and looking perfect online, the pressure is real, and it is having a negative impact on us. Fortunately, we are the generation that is starting to challenge the silence. We are talking about topics like therapy, self-care, setting boundaries, romanticizing life, and exposing toxic optimism, all of which are crucial to breaking from the framework we are stuck in. 

Stepping out of this framework does not have to be loud. You can start small, like sharing a post that you found helpful with others. Journaling about your feelings instead of bottling them up. Spending time with your loved ones when you feel exhausted or overburdened. Another option is to set up a group chat where anyone can vent freely without the fear of criticism. Make it a common place to say, "I'm not fine today." The secret is to treat yourself with kindness and honesty.

You do not need a global effort to make a difference. Sometimes, the change we seek starts with the way we treat ourselves and those around us. May might not be Mental Health Awareness Month on the Sri Lankan calendar, but we can still make it matter. Hence, this conversation does not have to wait until October. Let's start now and make mental health a topic we discuss all year long without passing judgment!