I know this is not your jurisdiction but I just write this in the hope that something will come out of it. WeLl I would like to start by appreciating everything you have done and also want to let everyone know how jealous I am of the fact that your country have so many policies coming up for gay people but I am also proud that if not me because of the revolution that people like you have started our next generation will be aware and will not base their openion in a prejudicial manner. I know this is a far fetched thought and call for help but I do feel like suicidal here in Mumbai . I m 21 and I haven't come out still. But I can't live like this anymore but there are repurcussions of my decision if I choose otherwise. I have two sisters and they have to get married and in a reserved and sometimes orthodox pcountry like ours my decision could affect their life as well because our whole family is already so complex because of my mother who is schysophernic. I m tired of thinking about the consequences of my coming out . At the same time I am confused that this depression phase I am in might also be because of genetic influence of my mother. I can't seem to get out of this limbo that I m stuck in I know that this mail might be of not much use but I write this in the hope many people across the whole globe who need people like you that someday people like you will also visit our countries and make people here knowledgable about these context.
Signed,
Shikhar , 21, Mumbai MM
Hi Shikar, Thank you for your letter. Being gay in a conservative culture is a difficult siuation. Not being able to express yourself, to be yourself, freely can result in depression. When you’re depressed, it can be very painful to feel and can make you isolate from your friends and family, cause you to be tired all the time and take away your motivation to do things, make you not enjoy the things you usually like to do, make you sleep and eat much less or much more than usual, and make you see everything in your life in a negative way. Sometimes the depression can get so bad it can make a person think of ending their life. Sometimes people think about ending their life when they're feeling very depressed, feel hopeless that things will get better and helpless to make things better in their life. On www.us.reachout.com you'll find facts about depression by clicking on “struggles with feelings.” Please know that there is treatment for depression and suicide including medication and/or therapy. It can help to talk with a mental health professional, such as a social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist about what you’re expereincing, including the suicidal thoughts. . Having a mental health professional assess your depression is the best way to apporoach the problem. ALthough the Trevor Project has limited resources, there are sourses of support in Mumbai. IF you feel you may act on suicidal thoughts, contact emergency services or get to an emergency room . YOur immediate safety is crucial. This is a link to a helpline in Mumbai. The Samaritans - Sahara 'Sevaniketan' Sir J-J. Road Byculla Bridge MUMBAI 400 008 India Tel: +91-22-2307 3451 Services by: Telephone, Face to face, Letters Look into these resources for support. .http://gaybombay.in/articles/supportgroups.html http://www.gaybombay.in/ Shikar, you are not alone. You are experiencing a lot of pressure from societal and familial traditions. FInding supportive communities, those that understand and accept the full range of human sexuality will help reduce the sense of isolation. Continue reaching out. There will be someone taking your hand. Best WIshes....