Depression is more than just sadness. It interferes with daily life and causes pain for you and everyone who cares about you. It’s a common illness, but a very serious one. Scientific research shows that depression affects certain centers in the brain that affect moods, thinking, sleep, appetite, and behavior. Although depression can and does affect people of all ages, from all walks of life, the risk of becoming depressed is increased by poverty, unemployment, life events such as the death of a loved one or a relationship break-up, physical illness and problems caused by alcohol and drug use. It often characterizes feelings of being sad, discouraged, hopeless, irritable, unmotivated, as well as a general lack of interest or pleasure in life. When these feelings last for a long period of time ( more than two weeks) and interfere with the regular daily activities, it is likely to be a depressive disorder which can affect people of any age, including children, teenagers, adults, and older people.

It may be difficult to tell if a child, adolescent, or teen is suffering from depression. Risk factors include being under stress, experiencing loss or having attention, learning, or conduct disorders. Severity of symptoms varies with individuals and also varies over time. They include depressed mood most of the day (feeling sad/empty and frequent crying) , diminished or lack of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed, change in appetite or weight (this includes a significant weight loss or weight gain), experiencing insomnia -having difficulty sleeping; alternatively oversleeping, lack of self esteem or feelings of worthlessness, fatigue or loss of energy, feeling hopeless and helpless, having guilty feelings , difficulty thinking , concentrating, remembering information, or making decisions, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide , persistent physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain that do not respond to routine treatment and anxiety, with or without a specific feeling of being depressed.

Depression is most likely due to a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. MRI s have shown that the parts of the brain involved in mood, thinking, sleep, appetite, and behavior of people who have depression function differently than those of people without it. Some types of depression tend to run in families. Trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or any stressful situation may trigger a depressive episode. The illness can also occur in people without any family history.

Depression is a treatable illness. Medications, psychotherapy and self help measures can help a depressed person feel better, engage in meaningful activities, and improve their quality of life. Also depression can be highly responsive to treatment. Early diagnosis and intervention with appropriate treatment are always critical steps to feeling better, especially for children and teens.The other methods include relaxation techniques, meditation, and breathing exercises, regular exercising as it can reduce symptoms of depression, The family environment is important to the recovery of people who are depressed as they help an individual suffering from depression by talking to them about their feelings and providing support and encouragement. Love all, Speak up, express, share and take care of your mental health.

Child labour refers to any work or activity that deprives children of their childhood. In effect, these are activities that are detrimental to the physical and mental health of children and that hinder their proper development.

Child labour includes: Child labour before the minimum legal age : The basic minimum legal age at which children are authorized to work is 15 years (14 in developing countries). For light work (only a few hours from time to time) the limit is fixed at 13 to 15 years (12-14 in developing countries). Finally, for hazardous work, the limit is pushed up to 18 years (16 years under certain conditions in developing countries).

The worst forms of child labour :This encompasses all forms of slavery or similar practices such as forced labour, trafficking, debt bondage, serfdom. It also includes illicit activities and/or activities likely to endanger the safety, health, and morals of children, such as prostitution, pornography, forced or compulsory recruitment for armed conflict, drug trafficking, etc.

Hazardous work : This encompasses domestic tasks carried out over long hours in an unhealthy environment, in dangerous places requiring the use of dangerous tools or materials, or forcing the child to carry objects that are too heavy.

Certain activities are not considered labour or exploitation. Activities which simply involve helping parents to complete everyday family chores, to which children can dedicate a few hours a week and which permit them to earn some pocket money, are not considered child exploitation because they do not hinder their well being.

Negative effects of child labour:

The difficulty of tasks and harsh working conditions create a number of problems such as premature ageing, malnutrition, depression, drug dependency etc.

From disadvantaged backgrounds, minority groups, or abducted from their families, these children have no protection. Their employers do whatever necessary to make them completely invisible and are thus able to exercise an absolute control over them. These children work in degrading conditions, undermining all the principles and fundamental rights based in human nature.

Additionally, a child who works will not be able to have a normal education and will be doomed to become an illiterate adult, having no possibility to grow in his or her professional and social life.

In certain cases, child labour also endangers a child’s dignity and morals, especially when sexual exploitation is involved, such as prostitution and child pornography.

Furthermore, a child who works will be more exposed to malnutrition. These children are often victims of physical, mental, and sexual violence.

Overview of child labour in the world

Child exploitation exists on all continents and takes various forms according to the traditions and cultures of the region.

• In South East Asia and in Pacific, girls are sold to supply prostitution networks or to work as domestic workers. Many children are also sold to work in textile factories as well as to cover family debts.

• In Africa, parents sell their children, often for livestock (generally, the child will be sold for a cow). These children are exploited in plantations, mines, or will become domestic workers.

• In North America and in Latin America, children are victims of prostitution to satisfy the perverse appetite of tourists, and are exploited more and more by drug traffickers.”

A simple answer is depression that leads to lose of hope!

What is depression?

Depression is a mindset of a person who is usually unhappy and has lost all the hope of an optimistic future for himself. 

What causes depression and suicidal thoughts?

Though circumstances are blamed for this fatal decision by the victims, you may be surprised to find that people who were in worse situation than the suicide victims to have overcome the hurdle. 

Here comes a silent killer, GENETICS. 

Scientists have found that depression are partly influenced by the genetics of the individual. Thus, it is more likely that people from same family of the victim to commit suicide. 

How humane is suicide?

Unfortunately suicide practice is completely humane but definitely not a proud thing. According to TUUL SEPP, an animal ecologist, suicidal behaviour is unique to humans and it can be both genetic and environmental influenced. Most animals in our planet have one goal in their life, which is to survive. To survive they need three things which are food, water and shelter. Humans despite having all them sometimes fail to survive by deciding to kill himself.  There are many things that set us apart from animals like cognitive thinking,  being innovative and unfortunately suicide. The mental evolution of humans that made us do extraordinary things can lead us do mean things like suicide! This suicidal characteristic of human also arises the question is human ranking in the animals, as humanity fail to meet the basic goal of any animal, which is to survive. 

So this brings a perspective that suicide is a threat to humanity that has to be addressed immediately.

Most people feel sad or depressed at times. It’s a normal reaction to loss or life’s struggles.

But when intense sadness — including feeling helpless, hopeless, and worthless — lasts for many days to weeks and keeps you from living your life, it may be something more than sadness. 

There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.

1. Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. Symptoms of a depressive episode can include: loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, change in weight, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, energy loss, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide.
2. Personal or family history of depression, major life changes, trauma, stress, and certain medications can contribute to a higher risk of developing depression.
3. Anxiety and depression disorders are closely related. Nearly 50% of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
4. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the whole world among people between the ages of 15 and 44.
5. Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression.
6. There is no “one-size-fits-all” for treating depression, but common treatments include: antidepressant medications, traditional forms of psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
7. In 2017, an estimated 264 million people in the world experienced depression.
8. Depression comes in different forms, such as persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia), postpartum depression, psychotic depression, seasonal affective disorder, and major depression.
9. Depression is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.

Symptoms:-1. A depressed mood during most of the day, especially in the morning. 2.You feel tried or have a lack of energy almost every day. 3.You feel worthless or guilty almost every day. 4.You have a hard time focusing, remembering details, and making decisions. 5.You can’t sleep or you sleep too much almost every day.6.You have almost no interest or pleasure in many activities nearly every day. 7.You think often about death or suicide (not just a fear of death). 8.You feel restless or slowed down. 9.You’ve lost or gained weight.10.Feel irritable and restless 11.Lose pleasure in life 12. Overeat or stop feeling hungry 13.Have aches or pains, headaches, camps, or digestive problems that don’t go away or get better with treatment. 14.Have sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings

Are There Different Types of Depression?

There are a few types of depressive disorders that doctors can diagnose, including:

• Unipolar major depression
• Persistent depressive disorder, also called dysthymia, when depression lasts for at least 2 years
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, when children and teens get extremely irritable, angry, and often have intense outbursts that are more severe than a child’s typical reaction
• Premenstrual dysphoria disorder, when a woman has severe mood problems before her period, more intense than typical premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Substance-induced mood disorder (SIMD), when symptoms happen while you’re taking a drug or drinking alcohol or after you stop
• Depressive disorder due to another medical condition

If you know someone who’s Depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just is, like the weather.

Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do.

Stephen Fry. I support this thought of Stephen Fry. Please help those people who are in depression in your surrounding. Try to understand their situations and support them to overcome these circumstances.

After reading an article with heading a five month old baby girl was allegedly raped by a relative in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow in February 2020 I was once again devastated. Although we all have become immune to such cases as we have accepted them as the new normal but still something strikes us maybe 0.01% of humanity that is still left in us.

There is a famous Indian saying that “Bacche Bhagwaan ka roop hote hain”. But the question here arises is that, Is this what we do with god ? Is that the way we have ever dreamt of treating them like ? The answer will be a clear NO. But we are treating the children of our country like that.

Child Abuse which includes trafficking and child sexual abuse still remains the sad reality of Indian Society. It has become a serious and widespread problem prevailing in India as it is in many parts of the world.

The World Health Organisation defines child sexual abuse as the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she does not fully comprehend is unable to give informed consent to or for which the child is not developmentally prepared and cannot give consent or that violates the laws or social taboos of society.

Child Sexual Abuse in India
India is the second most populous country in the world. It is the home to more than 400 Million Children. They constitute more than 40% of population. Signing up to the United Nation Convention on the rights of child in 1992, India promised to protect its children from all forms of sexual exploitation.

Increased concerns about child exploitation cases resulted in the first large government sponsored research study to assess the magnitude of child abuse in India. The survey revealed that more than 53% of Indian Children are subjected to sexual assault. Majority of the cases were committed by someone known to the child and majority of the cases go unreported because of the fear of society or because of the undesirable condition of the family.

According to recently released NCRB data 39827 Cases were reported in 2018, under POCSO Act, out of which 21,605 were rape cases which included 21,401 rapes of girls and 204 of boys. According to NCRB calculations aa many as 109 children were sexually abused everyday in India in 2018.
The reports clearly show that how pathetic the condition of children is in our society. Especially girls, they are more prone to sexual abuses, although boys were also subjected to sexual abuse and social stigma.

The children who go through sexual assault, their mental and physical state is severely affected. The trauma attached with child abuse result in various disorders in children which includes emotional as well as bodily disorders, which some of them are never able to overcome and when a child abuse case goes unreported and child is not given any special help then he or she is forced to suffer in silence which creates multiple complex problems in children.

Increased attention in the activism around child protection led to the government of India passing the POCSO Act in 2012, Criminal Law Amendment Act 2013 and Juvenile Justice Act 2015.

As many developing countries, India is also facing problems like poverty, illiteracy, overcrowding , large population density, lack of recreational facilities, large scale unemployment, corruption, child labour, child trafficking etc which are the main reason behind the occurrence of child abuse cases in India.

There are several challenges ahead as well so a child focused culture has to be established. The legal system should interpret the laws in a child friendly way. Legal system cannot alone fight the battle against child abuse and bring justice to the child but we together as a society can definitely overcome this problem and no doubt the most promising measure is mass awareness of such possible abuse and how to deal with it.

“If you are depressed you are living in the past, if you are anxious you are living in the future and if you are at peace, you are living in the present.” ~Lao Tzu

“One hundred fortunes have born all together with the birth of the body of the mortal (man) (upon which he has right by birth) of those we cast away those which leads us to sinful acts. O god, the knower of entire creation please let us have those fortunes which will prove blessings to us. ” ~ Atharva Ved, shloka: 7-115-3

The unfortunate death of the rising star of Bollywood- Sushant Singh Rajput – has made us realise the importance of mental happiness and peace, shifting our attention towards depression, that makes one hollow from inside, shattering the internal peace, too. The reports explain that the actor was suffering from depression from the last 6 months, that led to the ending of his life by committing suicide. Driven by the ironical fact that in his last movie Chhichhore, he actually urged people not to commit suicide in any case, but who knew that this ‘filmy dialogue’ won’t be applied by him in his practical life? In regards to this shocking event, I would like to mention some facts regarding depression and the need of mental peace at this hour.

Depression has become a very common term these days; meanwhile it is something which has gained a part in our day to day lifestyle. Numerous people are suffering from depression, stress or anxiety. However, depression is nothing but a state of mind,wherein an individual faces a prolonged phase of unhappiness, displaying mental and physical changes. This includes of –

• occuring of sleeplessness
• having stress problems
• feeling lonely
• keeping oneself isolated
• getting irritated
• having mood fluctuations
• generating feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• blaming oneself for any sort of failure and much more.

Depression is an ongoing problem, that doesn’t pass from one to another. So it’s not hereditary. Futhermore, it can last for several weeks, months, or years.

However, the major causes of depression are – failure, loss of job, loss of close one, any shocking incident that dismantled the person from inside, struggling life, committing sins etc.

Further, depression is treatable and this involves-

Support: This includes discussing practical solutions for overcoming the depressed situation.

Psychotherapy: Also known as talking therapy, this includes counseling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Medications: A doctor may prescribe some medicines for treatment.

In fact these days, it has been proven that reading Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta can reduce your heightening anxiety as well as depression. The confused Arjuna is anxious and fears to use his weapons against his own kinsmen. Now at this perplexed situation Shri Krishna occurs and as a therapist (as you can say), asks Arjuna to fight against the wrong, leaving out all this attachments. Specifically, it’s not only about a family feud amongst kinsmen but it’s also about conquering the inner conflicts and acquiring mental peace by relinquishing attachments or greeds, hence.

In this fast pace of life, I guess we have forgot to enjoy ourselves; forgot to live our life freely. And in order to gain this back, we have to set free ourselves from the cages of complexities. I hope you all lead a happier and peaceful life with reduced level of complexities, anxieties and hindrances. I wish for the betterment of your lives and none of you go through the phase of depression.

Today 14 June 2020,at 2:45 P.M. got the news of demise of Sushant Singh Rajput. He was one of the most prominent actor of Bollywood. I know him since the time of the serial “Pavitra Rishta” which was aired on ZEE TV at 9:00 P.M.. He became the star on Indian Television during this serial. While doing this serial he had done “Jhalak dikhla ja” and many more projects.Then he left the serial and started shooting the film “Kai Po Che” this was his first film. This movie marked his great performance in Bollywood after that “Shuddh Desi romance “,”P.K”,”M.S Dhoni”,”Raabta”,”Kedarnath”,”Son Chirraiya”,”Chichhore” were his movies that established him in Bollywood

I am very disheartened to her about the demise of the Actor. According to Mumbai police he was under “Depression” . Is depression is such a sickness that would end up taking your life . Guys this Depression is not greater than Cancer. Treatment of Depression is possible and there are so many people who came out of depression after a long period of time, But you need to be vocal for it. Battling Depression is not easy if you are alone , You need to be expressive about your emotions , about your feelings.

Depression is a mood disorder i.e. sadness , loss, anger with a person everyday activity.It’s important to realize that feeling down at times is a normal part of life. Sad and upsetting events happen to everyone.But, if you’re feeling down or hopeless on a regular basis, you could be dealing with depression.

Symptoms

The symptoms of depression can be experienced differently among men, women, and children differently.

• mood, such as anger, aggressiveness, irritability, anxiousness, restlessness
• emotional well-being, such as feeling empty, sad, hopeless
• behavior, such as loss of interest, no longer finding pleasure in favorite activities, feeling tired easily, thoughts of suicide, drinking excessively, using drugs, engaging in high-risk activities
• cognitive abilities, such as inability to concentrate, difficulty completing tasks, delayed responses during conversations
• sleep patterns, such as insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleepiness, not sleeping through the night
• physical well-being, such as fatigue, pains, headache, digestive problems

Guys please be vocal about your problem because one bad step can destroy many lives.There is your family, friends who will always support you in your bad times, No one will judge you if you are suffering from Depression. There are many therapies which you can conduct during these hard time and with a period of time , being around with your loved ones will definitely helps you to come out of this “Depression”.

Today Sushant whose career was on peak hanged himself and left his loved ones and fans in deep sorrow.His work will always be remembered and his next film “Dil Bechara” is all set to release after this pandemic.Guys who are reading this please help who are suffering from this because if it is not treated on time then it can be greater than cancer. May you rest in peace and those who out there suffering from depression its my request please talk about this to your loved ones , your families,your friends because it is a big deal for those who love you…

What people think of college life of engineering student ? Those who have not experienced this, thinks it to be the way it is shown in movies. But do movies show the real image?
It is shown that college life is full of fun, enjoyment, not to worry about study, passing without working hard and even getting a job is very easy by sitting on campus placement. But this is not completely true.
It’s true that college life is full of enjoyment, we get to learn a lot there, we grow there, we understand the reality of this world, the difference between real and fake people, we make friends who becomes our family for 4 years.

Taking about most of the students other than toppers which are rarely two or three in a class who studies whole time, First two years of college are quite easy to pass, we don’t have much part to study although it’s not like that we don’t have to study at all, we even donot try much to learn new skills, we have assignments which we do one day prior to last day of submission. Students mostly attends the class only for attendence because they do self study only. When we have viva we don’t know anything and just goes and sit in front of teacher and he insults us for 20 minutes and we came out of the practical room laughing and telling others that we didn’t knew anything. We stay awake whole night before the exam to complete our syllabus, and at last skipping one of the chapter.

However if once somebody gets a backlog then most probably they continue to get backlog in further years too until or unless they studies properly.

On reaching to the third and fourth year, a students becomes serious about their career, they starts preparing to get jobs, starts studying for job exams, they learn skills which will benefit them to get a job. They don’t waste much of their time in wandering in the college and city. However taking about the college exams, assignment, vivas, they do it the same way as they so it before. And those who studies sincerely after third year, gets good results.

College life is part of our life on which our career, our whole life depends. So, we should work hard along with enjoying it because it’s not gonna come again.