Dipika, a staff member at The Banyan, a social worker with a specialisation in medical and psychiatric social work, spoke about how working with people living with mental illness has changed the way she understands life, resilience, and human connection.
She said, “When I first entered this field as a social worker, I only knew that I wanted to help those struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, partly because I had seen and experienced some of it myself. Over time, this work has become more than a profession; it’s been a journey of empathy and patience.”
She shared, “Moving to a new state, adapting to a new culture, and living away from home were challenges, but the people I met through my work became like family. Every client’s story of pain, loss, and survival reminded me that mental illness doesn’t define a person. Many of them are far more compassionate and pure than we imagine. There are moments of burnout and emotional exhaustion, but also moments of laughter, celebration, and learning.”
She added, “This job has taught me to listen without judgment, to be patient, and to put myself in someone else’s place before reacting. Above all, it has shown me that understanding doesn’t always need words, as empathy can be a language of its own.”
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