If you are a mental health patient in Pakistan, you must have heard things like ‘It’s just a phase, you’ll get over it’, ‘Drama hai sab‘ or ‘Kala jaddu tou nai hogya‘ rather frequently. The fact that there is so much taboo attached to mental health in Pakistan despite 50 million Pakistanis suffering from various mental illnesses is concerning.
This Pakistani woman recently decided to address depression through a makeup tutorial that is laced with just the right amount of wit and sarcasm.
No, she doesn’t make light of depression, only explains how putting on makeup doesn’t make the depression go away. In simpler words, do not be deceived by the appearances. Just because someone looks chirpy and boisterous doesn’t mean they are doing perfectly okay mentally.
Covering up ur mental illness with makeup : tutorial (part 1) pic.twitter.com/KqEawR3LIs
— TheTattiMaster (@TheTattiMaster) June 10, 2017
The tutorial begins with her tying her ‘unwashed hair’ so she could prepare her face for the beauty tutorial
It’s incredible how even the tiniest of the details in the tutorial are basically conveying subtle hints about what it’s like to go through depression. Not washing your hair or generally not taking care of your hygiene is an indirect sign that the person may going through the same.
(Part 2) pic.twitter.com/QzLVaea843
— TheTattiMaster (@TheTattiMaster) June 10, 2017
The rest of the tutorial is all about putting on the right amount of foundation, powder, and lipstick to hide the sadness
(Part 3) pic.twitter.com/egtt43tIJf
— TheTattiMaster (@TheTattiMaster) June 10, 2017
And the results may visually look flawless but that’s exactly what mental health is about, looking beyond the apparent
Final results. You are cured. pic.twitter.com/e4uJyGSJB6
— TheTattiMaster (@TheTattiMaster) June 10, 2017
While talking to MangoBaaz, she said, “I use makeup as a way to cope with my mental illness (weird, I know), so I decided to record this tutorial and explain a little bit of what goes on in my head. The best part about putting this tutorial up was that a lot of people said they could actually relate to it. Using humor made it easier for me to talk about an otherwise uncomfortable subject. Everyone has been extremely nice, I was able to connect with so many people over something that a lot of us silently struggle with. The response I got the most was that the video was funny, sad and relatable at the same time.. It ended up on my moms timeline, she said felt a little disturbed but also a little hopeful. It’s a mix of emotions I guess. Mental illnesses need to be understood and talked about a lot more, this was my strange way of doing it.”
The reactions to the post have been overwhelmingly positive
It feels nice to have people who understand the struggle
This was most insightful. And I mean it. Thanks bud
— The House Of Snark (@HadesInShades) June 10, 2017
I want to hug her
— #PunishShahHussain (@7heikh) June 10, 2017
*big hug* I am sorry I probably cane off to strong.
Do you realise how beautiful you are? I just couldn't help but look at how perfectly-
— #PunishShahHussain (@7heikh) June 10, 2017
-gorgeous you are throughout the tutorial. I know you don't need validation from me but woah baby girl if I had that skin ✨
— #PunishShahHussain (@7heikh) June 10, 2017
Tutorial ho toh aisa. Pyaari. As hilarious as this was, a little worried for you but I know youd freak out so lets pretend I didnt say that.
— Alina Anjum (@lolalinaaa) June 10, 2017
My god, tatti. How effin stunning ARE you. MashaAllah. I wish for health and happiness and peace for u❤
— Amnaa Sid (@AmnaaSid) June 10, 2017
What this woman’s done takes an awful lot of courage.
To actually open up about your mental illness in front of the world takes a lot of determination but it’s a step in the right direction. You go, girl.
However, we also have to pay close attention to the deeper message – the focus on mental health. It’s alarming how individuals may suffer from mental disorders without even knowing so. A large part of this can be attributed to the dearth of awareness and research.
That’s why it’s essential to support people who are trying to raise awareness through extensive research.
A study, titled Factors Influencing Public Stigma of Mental Illness: A Comparison of American and Pakistani Students, is being conducted by Salman Shaheen Ahmad. Salman is a graduate student in the Psychology Department at Barry University. His research aims to uncover information that will be key in treatment planning in the future.
You can fill out the study here.
Salman has also offered an incentive to filling out the study – a secret prize from his side. To be eligible, here’s what you have to do:
- Answer every question (should take you no longer than 20 minutes)
- Save the individual Respondent ID number that you will get at the end of the survey, at the thank you page (and screenshot/print the page too)
The winner will be picked randomly.
It’s not often when we can actively help with a noble cause. Let’s rally on the forefront for this and help people understand mental health better to, inevitably, save lives.
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Cover image via Twitter