The double impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown, 2020’s defining moments, is going to be felt by generations – not just in a physical and financial capacity, but mental too. The good thing, however, was that the conversation around mental HEALTH gained momentum during this period, and the Sushant Singh Rajput case took the discussion further. That said, it also REVEALED the glaring need for more SENSITISATION around the subject, especially after a celeb tweet that read – ‘Depression is a consequence of drug abuse’. “Several conversations around mental health emerged in 2020. There was advocacy as well as mockery, but at least some noise was made,” says Shikha VERMA, a mental health advocate who has battled bipolar disorder.The double impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown, 2020’s defining moments, is going to be felt by generations – not just in a physical and financial capacity, but mental too. The good thing, however, was that the conversation around mental health gained momentum during this period, and the Sushant Singh Rajput case took the discussion further. That said, it also revealed the glaring need for more sensitisation around the subject, especially after a celeb tweet that read – ‘Depression is a consequence of drug abuse’. “Several conversations around mental health emerged in 2020. There was advocacy as well as mockery, but at least some noise was made,” says Shikha Verma, a mental health advocate who has battled bipolar disorder.Lockdown: The conversation starterThe double impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown, 2020’s defining moments, is going to be felt by generations – not just in a physical and financial capacity, but mental too. The good thing, however, was that the conversation around mental health gained momentum during this period, and the Sushant Singh Rajput case took the discussion further. That said, it also revealed the glaring need for more sensitisation around the subject, especially after a celeb tweet that read – ‘Depression is a consequence of drug abuse’. “Several conversations around mental health emerged in 2020. There was advocacy as well as mockery, but at least some noise was made,” says Shikha Verma, a mental health advocate who has battled bipolar disorder.Lockdown: The conversation starterWith people across the world cooped up at home, emotions and confessions began to surface on social media. In the aftermath of Sushant’s death, many opened up about their mental struggles.The double impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown, 2020’s defining moments, is going to be felt by generations – not just in a physical and financial capacity, but mental too. The good thing, however, was that the conversation around mental health gained momentum during this period, and the Sushant Singh Rajput case took the discussion further. That said, it also revealed the glaring need for more sensitisation around the subject, especially after a celeb tweet that read – ‘Depression is a consequence of drug abuse’. “Several conversations around mental health emerged in 2020. There was advocacy as well as mockery, but at least some noise was made,” says Shikha Verma, a mental health advocate who has battled bipolar disorder.Lockdown: The conversation starterWith people across the world cooped up at home, emotions and confessions began to surface on social media. In the aftermath of Sushant’s death, many opened up about their mental struggles.Management graduate Pihu Singhal shares, “I speak from experience that when public figures show their vulnerable side and talk about their battle with mental illnesses, it helps normalise this conversation. My friends were more understanding when I told them about undergoing treatment for depression. They even shared articles about Deepika Padukone speaking about her mental health. This also led to peers, family MEMBERS and others acknowledging the fact that many among them may need therapy as well.”