My name is Sanjhanaa, and I’m a psychology student who’s passionate about mental health advocacy. 

As someone who grew up in a traditional household, I was often told to suppress my emotions, toughen up, and simply “deal with it.” As someone who’s always felt things a little too deeply, that message stayed with me. 

Being the youngest in my family and naturally more quiet, introverted, and sensitive, I was often dismissed and not taken seriously. I learned early on that expressing emotions could invite judgment or ridicule which discouraged me from expressing myself. 

That’s what inspired me to write my piece “The Right Kind of Community.” This writing explores the stigma surrounding mental health in traditional households, where emotional struggles are often dismissed and undermined. Drawing from my personal experience, it shows how traditional expectations can discourage vulnerability but also how small acts of kindness can be meaningful and healing. It touches on the possibility of traditional expectations coexisting with mental health awareness and advocating for honest conversations that foster understanding and connection.  

If anyone relates to this writing, I hope it reminds them that they’re not alone and that their feelings are valid too.