Help Our Children Avoid Mental Health Issues

My name is Puneet Vatish and I am a devoted husband and father of 2 beautiful daughters. The past 10 years of my life have provided me with experiences that have turned my life on its head. In 2009, I realised my dream of owning a gym, however, I could not have predicted what was to follow. Power surges, divorce, family fall outs, massive debt, bailiffs and much more. These 10 years were enough to break anyone’s resolve and faith.

I grew up practicing Hinduism. I devoted my self to this religion with no questions asked. However, as time went by things did not make sense to me, so I started asking the questions, that I had previously suppressed. It is fair to say that these questions didn’t go down well, as you are taught to follow religion without questioning it. Whilst all the above was shoving me from pillar to post, I was given a ray of light. I was taken to a meditation retreat, which opened my eyes to a whole new world.

A world of meditation and spirituality manifested right before my very eyes! I spent 3 days at this retreat, and I can honestly say that it was mind blowing. I left the retreat with the gift of meditation. During the 10 years I mentioned previously, it is safe to say that I had a choice of 2 paths. The first one being a dark one, leading to depression, anxiety, and many other forms of self-harm. The second being the one of Spiritual Awakening, and alignment with the Universe.

Although for a time, I went down the dark path, the birth of my first child, and my second wife pulled me back from the brink, and my faith took me on my spiritual journey. I started to meditate. At first it was overwhelming, due to the flooding of thoughts and emotional baggage. It was enough to put anyone off meditation. However, with persistence, I endeavoured to master this art. I tried a few forms, but I began to realise that society had overcomplicated what was a simple yet highly effective mind tool. This led me to the realisation that people back away from this gift due to fear. Fear of processing their thoughts.

Meditation does not have to be complicated. Once I realised this, the joys that I experienced were amazing. All it takes is the breath. Follow the pattern of your breathing and do not be afraid of your thoughts. Process each though, acknowledge it and then send it on its way. Once you get into this pattern, your mind will become clear. You will align yourself in such a way that you desires will manifest before your very eyes.

When I finally found the method that suited me, I wanted to share it with my children. I realised I cannot stop my children going through certain experiences and emotions, but I can give them the tools to deal with these experiences in the most effective way. So now, from a very young age, my children know that there is nothing wrong with expressing their emotions. If they feel frustrated, angry or fearful, they meditate and align themselves. My eldest daughter has told me that she feels amazing after meditating.

This is what led me to starting my meditation petition. I realised that the world was going down a dark path, and so I wanted to share the great joy this tool had given to my family and I. Mental health issues are a huge factor in the world we live in today. There is no getting away from the fact that anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental issues, have hit an all time high. The pandemic has just emphasised and added to these issues. It is one thing for adults to suffer, but these issues are spilling over to our children. I do not have to tell you what will happen if these mental health issues continue to affect our young.

That’s why I want to get meditation into schools. By teaching our children at a young age, we gift them with the ultimate anti-mental health toolbox. I want them to learn the benefits and why they are being taught it. Introducing them to meditation will help prevent issues in the future. What is the point of trying to treat it at a later age, when we can actually prevent it from manifesting in the first place? This is something that is very close to my heart, and I will do everything I can, to ensure that all children know how to partake in meditation. The best thing about it is that it requires minimum space, no equipment and it is totally free.