Though
stigma surrounding mental health exists across society, it has a
particularly detrimental impact on men within the Tamil community in
Canada, according to Ragavan Paranchothy the co-founder of Men's
Services for Mental Health. (CBC News)
By Ramna Shahzad-Jun 03, 2016
Men's Services for Mental Health is throwing a "Verty Party" this
weekend where men will sport traditional South Asian garb to raise
awareness about, and address the stigma surrounding, mental health
within the Tamil community.
"My community, the Tamil community, has seen war for 30 years. We are
fairly new to Canada and the Western world and we go through a lot. Men
in particular suffer a lot and don't put it out there," Ragavan
Paranchothy, the co-founder of Men's Services for Mental Health, told
CBC's Metro Morning on Friday.
"They don't talk to their family, they don't talk to their friends,
or to doctors, about their mental health. They suffer," he said.
What Paranchothy hopes to achieve with the campaign is to
normalize topics related to mental health and make it easier to
have conversations about conflicts left behind, financial stress and
other sources of mental stress for men.
The "Verty Party," which will take place on Saturday at
the Scarborough Convention Centre, is an opportunity for men to have
open conversations about mental-health issues, as well as a chance for
them to wear a traditional South Asian item of clothing worn by men,
known as a veshti or dhoti.
Men's Services for Mental Health is hosting a party where men can sport
traditional South Asian attire for a good cause -- to have conversations
about mental health. (Facebook/ Verty Party For Men's Mental Health
Promotion)
"It's part of our awareness campaign. We want to talk to young people so
they can get in touch with their own thoughts and feelings and they can
also propagate conversations outside," said Paranchothy. "We want
[young people] to become ambassadors of the cause, get involved and
start talking about it."
Paranchothy said that mental health takes a huge toll on Tamil families who have left behind their friends and family.
Certain months can be more difficult for the community and can be
reminders of the pain and suffering of those left behind, Paranchothy
said.
"We remember the Tamil genocide in May, and November is when we
commemorate the fallen men and women who fought for Tamil freedom," he
said, adding that at times like these, it is particularly important to
speak out and seek help if needed.
