Resilience at its finest 

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Hana, an enthusiastic and a workaholic fourth year medical student. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Stigma as a label, is used as a form of projection on others of our own weakness. Deep down, in the bottom of our hearts we know it and we can’t deny it, yet we mostly choose to push it to the side. Mothers, despite them being the human form of a haven, they tend be the most undermined or belittled in almost in every single possible way. Whether we mean it or not. Women are an everyday proof of the existence of miracles through the despair.

From the ancient times, whether we want to admit it or not; we have conceptualized women as being solely created for motherhood. However, many times we can be reciprocated with the complete opposite by many. In response, out of disapproval, the society shove women down their throats with reproach ruthlessly.

To elaborate, postpartum is perceived as the gate for heaven on earth; but that is not the case for most women. About 15% of women in postpartum develop depression, out these about 58% don’t seek help out of the fear of opposing the society. Inconsiderate cultural beliefs, have sabotaged women’s mental health through fear; forgetting about the existence of the rollercoaster of emotions, lack of sleep and the hormonal misbalance that can drive women into many mental illnesses like depression.

Having the bravery, to even admit to yourself that there is a problem is not a thing you see every day. What adds insult to injury, is the need for women to not only prove for themselves that they need help; but also, for others, while they desperately require assistance. Their sense of helplessness and hopelessness can unintentionally push women into resenting “the best time of their lives”, while their only hope at that time is to understand why they are not ok. 

As a final note, women are the carriers of life and it deeply saddens me that they have to go through so much in order to be heard. Despite, being provided with the bare minimum, they never fail to power through magnificently.

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About the author

This is Hana who is an enthusiastic and a workaholic fourth year medical student. Despite, her endless love for medicine, her identity does not revolve only around it.  Yes, medicine has evolved her character for the better; but it wasn’t the only reason for it. For example, she has a passion for writing and she has wrote couple of articles in her university’s magazine; two of them got released, rest are still in the process. Fun fact, Hana loves Turkish shows and she actually taught herself Turkish mostly by watching shows. She is not fluent; however she knows how to speak the language, write and read a little bit.