Tale of a Personal Journey Through a Mental Health Crisis: Rediscovering Hope

Dr.Vijayalakshmi Aluri, Winner of World Bank’s Projects competition, Author, Social worker and Gynecologist, Sri Sri Holistic Multi specialty Hospitals, Hyderabad

After completing a surgery, I returned to my chamber, expecting a few moments of quiet. To my surprise, I found Renu waiting for me. I immediately recognized her — Renu had delivered her child in my hospital about seven years ago. Her pregnancy had been a particularly stressful journey, fraught with complications, and the delivery itself had been difficult, with multiple challenges along the way. Yet, despite all the obstacles, we had successfully brought her child into the world. Seeing her now stirred memories of that intense time.

Renu had since settled in the U.S., working in a corporate role. As soon as she saw me, she hurried towards me, her eyes bright with recognition and emotion. Without hesitation, she bent down to touch my feet, a gesture of deep respect, before embracing me tightly. It was an unexpected but touching moment, a testament to the bond we had formed during one of the most vulnerable times in her life.