Did you know our ancestors had ways of healing pain— even if they didn’t call it Mental health?

Hibiscus Counselling
May 16
3 min read

கலாச்சாரமே ஒரு தேசத்தின் ஆன்மா, அதுவே நம்மை நாமாக ஆக்குகிறது நமக்கான அடையாளத்தையும் தருகிறது.

— Culture is the soul of a people. It shapes who we are and gives us our identity.

Have you ever been told to “focus on more productive things” after trying to express what you were going through?Ever been labelled too emotional, too sensitive, or dramatic when all you really needed was someone to listen?

If yes, this space — and this conversation — is for you.

Even as the world moves forward, many of our thoughts around mental health remain stuck. We actively care for our bodies — gym memberships, diets, annual checkups. But when it comes to caring for the mind? Shame, discomfort, and silence still surround the subject.

And this silence isn’t new. It’s inherited — passed down through generations, shaped by social roles, economic pressure, caste and gender norms, and media misrepresentations.

The Thread Between Mental Health and Identity

There’s an invisible thread that connects our emotional well-being to who we are — our identity. Each personal challenge, unspoken struggle, or inner conflict we face adds to that thread. And over time, it weaves into the fabric of our selfhood.

Because our identity isn’t just built from our achievements. It’s formed from our trials, our values, our vulnerabilities, and our ability to cope. And when we feel unable to share what’s happening inside — when we're afraid of being laughed at, ignored, or judged — the weight of it all becomes isolating.

Carrying that weight in silence doesn’t make us strong. It just makes us lonely.

“Mental Health Is Not Ours” — But Is That True?

You may have grown up in a home where your father never cried, or where your brother was told, “Boys don’t cry. Be a man.”In many Tamil households, emotional expression is discouraged in the name of strength. We’re taught to endure pain quietly, to suppress grief, and to smile through confusion.

But endurance without expression becomes a cage.And the idea that mental health is a Western concept? That’s a myth.Healing has always existed in our culture — we just didn’t name it that way.

The Science Behind Our Traditions

Modern psychology teaches us the importance of self-regulation, non-verbal expression, ritual, and community connection as key tools in emotional well-being.Our traditions have reflected these principles for centuries.

Kolam, drawn every morning, offers routine, mindfulness, and control — tools proven to reduce anxiety and improve focus.
Sculpting, once revered in Tamil courts and temples, helps externalize complex feelings, much like art therapy does today.
Poetry, music, Bharatanatyam, and karakattam combine storytelling, rhythm, and movement — regulating the nervous system while creating safe space for emotional release.
Oral storytelling and intergenerational rituals promote community bonding and reduce social isolation, which are now recognized as protective factors in mental health.

These practices align with evidence-based mental health approaches — not as substitutes, but as culturally valid pathways to care.

What We’ve Forgotten

The issue isn’t that Tamil culture lacks tools for healing.It’s that over time, we've become disconnected from their meaning and power.

By recognizing these traditions for what they are — pathways to reflection, release, and restoration — we reclaim our right to feel, to express, and to care for ourselves in ways that resonate with our roots.

Healing doesn’t always look like a clinical room.Sometimes, it looks like dance.Sometimes, it sounds like an old folk song.Sometimes, it’s a quiet morning with your hands in rice flour, drawing circles into the ground.

Join Us at Adaiyalam

Adaiyalam — meaning identity in Tamil — is a mental health festival rooted in culture, community, and care.On July 5 & 6, 2025, at Anna Centenary Library, Chennai, we invite you to gather, share, unlearn, and heal — together.

Expect:

Panel conversations on emotional health and identity
Expressive art, storytelling, and music workshops
Healing spaces grounded in tradition
Interactive exhibits and stalls by mental health organizations
Safe spaces for reflection, connection, and cultural pride

Whether you're a student navigating stress, a young professional searching for belonging, a caregiver in need of support, or someone simply curious — this space is for you.