Breaking the silence of shame in schizophrenia | A caregivers view | Purva Gera | TEDxManSagarLake

"Paranoid schizophrenia , when I learnt that from mom in my teens , years after seeing her
take dad from one doctor to the other , I could barely understand what it meant.
For me all I remember was being ashamed, ashamed that dad never went to work ,
ashamed that sometimes we could not pay the school fees on time , that he would stare at
my friends or the neighbours sometimes weirdly , that there were a lot of fights , Mom was often worried. He was irritated at times and at times very very sad.
A teenagers brain started hating her father. I wish I knew then, Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic brain disorder that causes people to interpret reality
abnormally-they don’t know what sights, sounds, and experiences are real or what
they are imagining. With a disease this complex, caregiving cannot be easy."
A Head of People and HR , with a vision to cultivate workplaces where everyone thrives.
Purva has worked with leaders and organisations (CEO's and boards from VC backed startups to large established companies) across multiple industries and countries to help transform company culture and create a better working world by influencing the way businesses think, feel, act, and operate.
Her highest excitement comes from working with some of the world's most progressive multigenerational leaders.
Her Inspiration and strength comes from her mom who was the primary caregiver for her dad who battled #Schizophrenia.
Her purpose in life is to create a supportive ecosystem for caregivers of people with mental illnesses.
Purva is a leader, an artist and a dreamer who believes in amplifying the stories of inspiring women because to see it is to believe it and therefore be it. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@ravindersinghchawla]

Dear Purva, I applaud you not just for your grit but also for your candid thoughts. It is not at all easy for anyone to share personal details. But having known you, I am not surprised at all. I am sure that this video is going to give a lot of awareness to the care givers all over the world to take care of people suffering from Schizophrenia. Great job. Keep it up!

[@HarvinderMathur]

Inspiring and fighting attitudes can change anything......This is what I have learned.

[@khushboosingh7317]

Thanks Purva for sharing!! You are one of the strongest person I know and its so lovely to see you living your life with such grace and dignity. I have loved working with you and your organization is very very lucky to have you. Your sharing your personal details so honestly requires guts and a deep sense of doing the right thing. Thank you and keep up the great work !

[@heathergupta2046]

Amazingly frank and honest description of what must have been a very traumatic experience for all concerned, especially at a time and in a place where mental health is not always well understood or supported. Great job, Purva.

[@user-ex7zn4fz3y]

During such a difficult time we have to remember the caregivers without whom getting by would be literally impossible. Just want to say how you explained everything and kept your composure was incredible, but that’s just you and how you have managed family, work and friends during your fathers illness. Glad you have made a start to bring more focus to mental illness, hopefully this will help people get the healthcare and medication sooner!

[@dhanrajkamdar3289]

Very inspiring speech spontaneously delivered. Thanks for an eye opener speech !!

[@preethabalakrishnan2524]

Rohit...god! ...And your father's battles and yours and your mom...hats off to you and your family! You are amazing. My mother has Dementia and I totally understand...thanks for letting the world know..your talk will surely inspire the world...and has inspired me!

[@user-gy7vz6kl3z]

Purva your mother is such an amazing & strong woman! Very few people can handle/face situations bravely. A caregiver's life is indeed tough.

[@purvagera]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@lalitnihalani5787]

Huge respect. Yes, it takes courage to speak up like this. Applaud for your strong message to all those out there going through schizophrenia, on not giving up and on continuing with all that is needed.

[@purvagera]

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@ektacapoor9368]

Purva, this is so honest. It takes immense courage to speak about something so personal. . My heart goes out to your mom. Just shows that love doesn't make us weak, it makes us so much stronger.

[@purvagera]

Thank you so much 🙏🙏

[@nareshpurohit3600]

Gem 💎 person her courage and strength is always inspiring to all of us

[@user-sb7ck4xm7d]

"What a treat to hear your talks!. Keep up the good work!"

[@purvagera]

Thank you ❤

[@akashtripath.i]

Rarely discussed, deeply deeply impactful - truly demonstrates how love & hope can surmount the toughest challenges life throws at us! Hope more of us talk about caregiving and caregivers ❣

[@purvagera]

Thanks a lot 🙏🙏

[@anantam6]

Very impressive

[@kishorechainani2766]

Wonderful Purva! ❤

[@purvagera]

Thank you ❤

[@raushanjha5278]

आपके अध्यवसाय जीवन यात्रा की कहानी को सुनते ही हृदय उल्लास से परिपूर्ण हो गया। अथक परिश्रम के सर्वश्रेस्ठ परिणाम की बहुत बहुत शुभकामनाएँ……ईश्वर आपको ऐसे उन्नति प्रदान करता रहे। 🦜🍁🌺🌺💥💥🌞🌺🌺

[@purvagera]

Bahut bahut dhanyawaad 🙏

[@khajji1810]

Respect respect respect

[@purvagera]

Thank you sir 🙏🙏

[@BigMissSunshine]

Do you or your brother have any mental illness???

[@purvagera]

Appreciate the question. Both of us are fine so far. The doc has asked us to never get into any recreational drugs and to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

[@BigMissSunshine]

​@@purvageraMy brother has schizoaffective disorder. I have anxiety depression and living with him seeing his madness makes my anxiety depression worse. And now I'm afraid that even I might become psychotic or worse schizophrenic as mental illness runs in my family.

[@purvagera]

@@BigMissSunshine is he taking treatment? My dad got a lot better with treatment . I can imagine its super tough , do you have any support?

[@BigMissSunshine]

​@@purvageraWas your father ever admitted??

[@purvagera]

@@BigMissSunshineyes