Stories of Hope: An Interview with Sanjana Karthik
This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked student Sanjana Karthik about her journey and her recent activities. Here’s our interview:
DS: Tell us about when you first started becoming aware of concerns related to your mental health. How did these issues continue to affect you before you sought treatment?
SK: I used to struggle with anxiety with regards to my family, and academics. I am grateful that my parents were able to recognize these patterns and connect me with a therapist. My anxiety would cause me sleepless nights, and my family members would feel overwhelmed by my anxiety as well. They would feed off of my stress, which would cause arguments and tension as well. This contributed to a never-ending cycle of stress at home.
I also used to struggle with finding a sense of purpose in life as well. I felt like I was not able to perform to the best of my abilities academically, which was something I was consistently able to achieve in the past. I felt overwhelmed with being unable to find a sense of purpose in what I would like to accomplish with my life and felt overwhelmed with the situation I had at home as well.
DS: What was the turning point that led you to decide to seek help?
SK: My parents found that my stress relating to my academics was negatively affecting my mental health, and was contributing to a negative home environment as well. This was when my parents decided to connect me with a therapist for support.
DS: What has your treatment consisted of, and what have you found that has worked well for you?
SK: I found that being able to connect with a therapist was extremely helpful. I felt supported knowing that a professional was ready to help me cope with my stress. I felt supported in knowing that I had a safe space to unload my emotions.
My therapist was able to support me in providing me coping strategies, and evaluate my thought processes regarding how I viewed my academics, and family dynamics. I was also able to receive help in resolving past conflicts, which I didn’t realize until I went to see a therapist; this had an effect on my thinking and wellbeing as well.
DS: How are things going for you now? What challenges are you still facing? What have you learned that has helped you stay positive and healthy?
SK: I feel that despite going to therapy I still face challenges in regards to having a positive mindset and outlook in life. It is easy to lose track of your goals, and your sense of happiness at times. It is easy for people including myself to lose track of priorities, and who you are.
I believe that by cultivating a practice of reflective journaling, I am able to introspect, and discover who I am, my values, and the type of person that I would like to become. Additionally, I practice goal journaling to help me address the various aspects of my life and make sure I prioritize them.
I also attempt to practice gratitude journaling in order to help me stay positive, and acknowledge all of the good things my life consists of. These are a few practices I have attempted to implement in my schedule so that I can redeem a healthier lifestyle.
DS: You’ve been very involved in mental health advocacy. Please tell us a little about your advocacy efforts.
SK: I have co-founded a mental health app known as myEsprit, which has received recognition in Spotlight magazine and radio ads as well.The app helps people generate their own happiness and offer gratitude, goal, reflective journaling, and mindfulness exercises etc.
I also am the head of a mental health campaign for BCYC, where we have guest speaker events and are working towards connecting with schools, school boards, politicians, and learning centers to help bring more mental health advocacy and support.
Additionally, I created a mental health curriculum for an organization known as Beyond the Five, and this is being shared with organizations such as Educationalist and Letters To Strangers.
DS: What would you like to say to encourage others who are still working on their journey of recovery?
SK: I encourage everyone to respect their time and energy and to connect with a therapist or other forms of professional support as well. I believe that it is important for everyone to find ways for them to generate their own happiness, prioritize their mental health, and take care of their mental and physical well-being as well. This helps build resiliency, and a sense of self.
Sanjana Karthik is a grade eleven student from Semiahmoo Secondary in British Columbia. She dedicates her time to volunteering, where she has accumulated over 500 hours and spends time playing badminton and attending choir practice. She tutors, and provides her leadership services to Volunteer Club, Study Circle, and Medhopeful at her school. She reached some of her personal and professional goals, by creating her organization called Your Words Matter To Us, co-founding an upcoming mental health app called myEsprit, and creating mental health campaigns through the BC Youth Council. Above all, her passion lies in writing poetry, and she has had the opportunity to have her work published in various publications. She is so grateful to be hosting her own show on CloseLook called the Reality Is, where she is able to combine her passion for advocacy, mental health, public speaking and writing all together! You can contact her at skarthik.study@gmail.com.
Thanks so much to Sanjana for sharing her inspiring story of hope!
Would you like to share your story of hope? I plan to feature more personal accounts like this from time to time on my blog. If you are interested in sharing your story, please notify me via my contact page. Also, please subscribe to my blog and feel free to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, “like” my Facebook page, or connect on LinkedIn. Finally, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend. Thanks!