Aamir Khan began Satyamev Jayate’s fifth episode with how depression affects the mental stability of an otherwise healthy person. The fact that suicide rates are so high in the country, especially among the youth is indeed a matter of concern. However, we think the show should have concentrated on any one aspect of mental disorders.

The Good

- With the growing rate of suicides due to depression, it was great that Aamir decided to touch on the topic.

- He called on stage people belonging to different age groups who have first hand witnessed such a case in their family, which truly touched chords.

- Schizophrenia is something we’ve often seen in movies and television show. But the gravity of the situation and how ignorant people are was truly shocking. To learn that such patients remain untreated for decades.

- Aamir showcased both sides of the story – one from the patient’s perspective and one from the caretaker’s view point. It was interesting to see the conditions in which a caretaker is forced to let go of their family member when they suffer from such illnesses.

- The institutions that aid such patients and their families have remained in the background for so long. It was good know a few names and numbers of organisations that help take care of such patients.

- The angle of Dawa Aur Dua was a master stroke. It is often seen that the family members of a patient with mental disorder lose their way when they refuse medical help and hope that God will weave a way out of this. But organisation with support both the ideologies was indeed an eye opener.

- The panel which included Sister Lucy Kurien, Pandit Shambhunath Shukla and Sayed Haji Sahab was innovative and definitely opened a new line of thought.

The Bad

- While the topic was interesting, wethinks the explanation of mental disorders like Bipolar, Agoraphobia and Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour was not at all touched.

- We believe the makers should have given a directive on how to handle such a case in emergencies.

- While there are many patients who behave abnormally in such situations, there are many who get extremely dangerous and aggressive. That was not even mentioned in the show.

- We really wished if the show could bring at least one patient on the show who is on his way to getting better for a better understanding.

Verdict

- The show was definitely path breaking and emotional. But we are glad that there was no melodrama and educative enough for people to know what to do and who to approach in such a situation.