Description

The Rotaract Club of Jyoti Nivas College organized a session on healing traumas named "Behind The Fog Ep2: From Pain To Power" in collaboration with Rotaract club of Indore activists, Rotaract club of bicholim and Rotaract club of young visionaries. The speaker for this session was Miss. Sangeetha Param, a 29-year-old motivational speaker from Bangalore and a survivor. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, she shared her journey to normalize "Not being Okay" and encouraged seeking help without fear. As the author of Key to Acceptance and Echoes in my Attic, with 4 TEDx talks and 6 international conferences under her belt, she uses her story to break the stigma around mental health. The speaker began by discussing the differences between depression and sadness, elaborating on bipolar and borderline personality disorders. Drawing from her own struggles, she shared how low self-esteem and a fear of judgment made even the simplest decisions, like choosing an ice cream flavor, feel paralyzing. She described being misunderstood by others, who often assumed she had an attitude or lacked interest in social interactions. Her journey toward understanding herself began with a diagnosis, which brought relief and helped her see her challenges as unique rather than debilitating. She encouraged the audience to take time to process emotions, whether grief or happiness, and not let guilt or sadness consume them. Practical suggestions like journaling, using colors, and starting with simple to-do lists were offered to help organize thoughts and foster emotional growth. An anonymous form and an Instagram story was created, providing a platform for individuals to share their traumas anonymously. This initiative aimed to create a safe space for expression, helping them take the first step towards healing and self-reflection. The session also covered loneliness, trauma, and coping with PTSD. She highlighted the difference between loneliness and being alone, sharing her experience of a solo trip where she was frequently questioned about feeling lonely. Her advice was to reconnect with hobbies and prioritize mental health, even if it meant distancing oneself from toxic relationships. On trauma, she recounted a deeply personal story of being sexually assaulted by a family member, which left her with a fear of walking alone. Over time, she faced and overcame this fear, emphasizing that healing is a gradual process. She also touched on abusive family dynamics, explaining that abuse often reflects the abuser’s unresolved struggles. She encouraged the audience to channel anger and frustration constructively, such as by punching a pillow, and to focus on regaining control over their emotions. In conclusion, the speaker stressed the importance of resilience and dealing with triggers constructively. Sharing how she overcame her fear of biking after a fall, she encouraged the audience to take small steps toward overcoming their fears. She emphasized the value of building a strong support system and being open about mental health with loved ones, even if their understanding is limited. Finally, she urged the audience to support one another by asking simple but meaningful questions like, “Are you okay?” and creating spaces for open dialogue. Her session ended with a powerful reminder to pursue mental well-being.