The Mental Compass

Written by : Dr. Jaikumar Velayudham, Consultant Psychiatrist, Chennai and Vellore Dr. Jaikumar Velayudham is a consultant psychiatrist with a deep interest in the intersection of history, psychology, and leadership. Through his writings, he explores the minds of iconic figures to uncover timeless mental health insights. He is a regular contributor to Mental Health Compass Magazine Martin Luther King Jr. stands as one of the most powerful voices in history—a leader who reshaped a nation’s conscience and inspired millions around the world. On April 4 1964,He was fatally shot in Memphis, Tenesse by an escaped convict James Earl Ray and was pronounced dead soon after that.on Aug 28 1963 he delivered his famous,”I have a dream “ speech A small excerpt from it runs thus:  “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red...

One day, they’re sharing stories they say they’ve never told anyone before. They’re texting you first, checking in after a long day, making plans for the future, and making you feel like you’ve finally found someone who understands you. Then, almost without warning, something changes. The messages become shorter. The calls become less frequent. The warmth that once felt effortless is replaced by distance. You’re left wondering what happened. If you’ve ever experienced this, you’re not alone. One of the hardest parts isn’t just that someone pulled away, it’s that they did so after getting close. The closeness makes the distance feel louder. It leaves behind unanswered questions that our minds are desperate to solve. Was it something I said? Did I become too much? Were they pretending all along? The truth is, there isn’t always one simple answer. For some people, intimacy is comforting. For others, it’s unfamiliar territory. Growing close to someone means becoming vulnerable, and vulnera...

Young, independent India has travelled milestones of a polarised society influenced by religion, caste, westernized thoughts and gender differences. Millennials navigated diverse beliefs a decade ago, paving the way for a new India driven by Gen Z, emphasizing pluralism and inclusivity that celebrate the country's unique identity amidst differences. Gen Z also strives to become mental health ambassadors to acknowledge the wider acceptance of mental health as a trending lifestyle.  Not more than a decade ago, millennials in their late teens to 30 years, driven by westernized thoughts, travelled overseas to validate their talent, gain wealth and propagate their identity. The beginning of sociopolitical changes in 2014 invited major investments from western countries in India, initiating a promising land of revival for those who believed in traditional culture to meet western thoughts.  Major decisions to return to their native country hallmarked the broad vision of many millenni...

Every year, when Self-Care Month begins, our social media feeds are flooded with reminders to drink more water, meditate for ten minutes, buy skincare products, journal every morning, or take a relaxing vacation. While none of these are bad suggestions, they often leave many people wondering: Is this really what self-care is? If self-care is supposed to make us feel better, why does it sometimes feel like another item on an already overwhelming to-do list? The truth is, self-care has become one of the most misunderstood concepts of our time. Somewhere along the way, it became associated with luxury, aesthetics, and perfectly curated routines. In reality, psychology paints a much simpler and far more meaningful picture. At its core, self-care is the practice of intentionally looking after your physical, emotional, mental, social, and even spiritual well-being. It is not about escaping life but about preparing yourself to live it. Just as we charge our phones before they run out of batte...

When everything around you becomes a little too easy, not in the world outside, but inside: the way you think, the way you approach things, the way you deal with not knowing. Because if you really look closely, there are things you used to do without thinking that you don’t really do anymore. Not because you forgot them in one moment, but because life slowly stopped asking you to use them. It doesn’t feel like a loss. That’s the strange part. It feels like comfort. There was a time when effort was built into almost everything. If you didn’t understand something, you had to sit with it. Not for a few seconds, but sometimes for a long time. You had to go through confusion, try different ways, get it wrong, and then slowly get closer to understanding. That process wasn’t always enjoyable, but it shaped something inside you. It made you used to difficulty. It made you patient without even realizing it. Now, things move differently. When something feels unclear, the answer is usually right ...

The Emotional Power of Tattoos Tattoos have long been viewed as a form of body art, but in recent decades they have gained recognition as a deeply personal form of self expression and even therapeutic practice. For many people the decision to place permanent ink on their skin is not merely aesthetic but symbolic of resilience, growth, and healing. Each design carries meaning, often linked to personal struggles, triumphs, or memories of loved ones. In this way tattoos can act as emotional anchors, reminding individuals of their strength during difficult times. Psychologists note that the process of getting tattooed can itself be cathartic. The anticipation, the physical sensation, and the final result all combine into a ritual of transformation. For survivors of trauma or loss, tattoos become an external representation of inner battles that were once invisible. Rather than being hidden, their experiences are given shape and color on the body, transforming pain into an enduring form of a...

College doesn’t just change what you study. It changes how you see yourself, often in ways that aren’t obvious while they’re happening. You arrive with some idea of who you are, shaped by school, family, and whatever you’ve been told you’re “good at.” But once you’re there, that idea starts to shift. Not all at once, not in a clear direction, but gradually, through everyday experiences that feel ordinary at the time. Classes are part of it, but they’re only one layer. There are pressure assignments, deadlines, expectations, but there’s also freedom. No one is watching you the way they used to. No one is structuring your time for you. And that freedom can feel both exciting and unstable at the same time. You’re given space, but you’re also expected to figure out what to do with it. That’s where identity starts to form in a different way, not just from what you’re told, but from what you choose. At first, those choices are small: when you study, how you spend your evenings, who you talk ...

“The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.” – Steve Maraboli In Disney’s Frozen (2013), Elsa, the main character, constantly struggles with her inner thoughts, which causes her to be closed off and scared of making any mistakes. Just like Elsa, we all have an inner voice in our heads that is always active. It seems to have opinions on our choices, always replays awkward and embarrassing moments, and has a lot to say about our abilities and skills. Sometimes it is helpful and grounding. Other times, the same voice is extremely discouraging and off-putting. This ongoing and constant monologue, known as self-talk, shapes how we see ourselves, how we act, and how much mental space we give to doubt. Self-talk develops early in life, shaped by the voices we hear growing up. It could be what our parents, teachers, or friends said, or the expectations we pick up from society. Slowly, these become internal beliefs, hence reflecting in actions. Statemen...

When we meet someone for the first time, we often notice their appearance before anything else. It is not something most of us consciously choose to do; it is simply how our brains process information. We notice a smile, a hairstyle, the color of a shirt, or sometimes a visible difference in someone’s skin. For people living with vitiligo, these moments of being noticed can carry a weight that others may never fully understand. Vitiligo is a condition in which patches of skin lose their pigment, resulting in areas that appear lighter than the surrounding skin. It is not contagious, painful, or life-threatening. Yet, for many individuals, the greatest challenge of vitiligo is not physical but emotional. The condition often places them under a spotlight they never asked for. Imagine walking into a room and feeling as though people are looking at you before they are listening to you. Imagine being asked the same questions repeatedly, hearing unsolicited advice, or noticing curious stares ...