A heartfelt letter from a Psychologist, addressing our beloved teachers of West Bengal in this time of crisis.
Namaskar Sir/Miss,
I hope my letter gives you strength and hope during these distressing times.
My heart aches as I express my feelings in words, fully knowing the uncertainty and emotional turmoil that you are currently going through. As someone who deeply understands the intricacies of the human mind, and as a fellow resident of Kolkata, I can only imagine the whirlwind of negative emotions that you are continuously enduring these days.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on April 3, 2025, upholding the Calcutta High Court's order, quashing the appointments of over 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff appointed through the 2016 SSC recruitment process, has undoubtedly sent shock waves not just in the legal landscape of India but on the very psychological fabric of thousands of those who dedicated their lives to the noble profession of teaching.
You, the teachers, the strongest backbone of an educated society, who have dedicated their lives to nurturing young minds, igniting curiosity, and inspiring generations, are now going through unfathomable pain due to the current crisis. The very foundation, the purpose that fueled your work, has been shaken to its core. Abruptly, and for reasons beyond your control, the rug has been pulled out from under you. The confidence and stability you once had carved its way to overwhelming uncertainties about not only your career and finances but also your identity as a teacher. I very well know that there is a deeply personal story of many years of dedication, perseverance, and sheer hard work behind each of the more than 25,000 canceled appointments.
You did not deserve this, sir/miss.
Carrying the Cross of Uncertainty and Betrayal
As a practicing Psychologist in Kolkata, my heart truly aches for every one of you enduring this unimaginable crisis. The psychological impact of such an abrupt and life-altering job loss is extremely overwhelming, in many ways that go beyond words, as this crisis is not just financial but deeply psychological. Our state is going through a Mental Health Emergency in which thousands of lives and those dependent on them have been turned upside down.
It is imperative for you to know and understand the psychological issues that you might be experiencing, as acknowledging those issues is the first step toward mental well-being. If you are facing any of the following challenges, do not hesitate to reach out for help:
- Extreme anxiety and stress: Being in a constant state of worry, having unwanted and unstoppable thoughts, and sleepless nights can cause havoc for your mental health as they trigger anxiety and stress.
- Depression and hopelessness: Given the present scenario where you are constantly carrying the burden of uncertainty, feelings of hopelessness and being forever trapped in this critical situation can trigger Depression. It is imperative for you to understand and acknowledge these problems and seek immediate professional help.
- Feelings of existential dread: Being penalized for issues with the system and things that were beyond your control can lead to feelings of anger, betrayal, prolonged grief, and isolation. This leads to feelings of existential dread where your sole existence becomes meaningless.
- Loss of self-esteem: It is understandable that you had intertwined your sole identity with the identity of being a teacher, and given the current crisis situation, there might be feelings of losing your self-esteem.
- Psychosomatic symptoms: When you are in mental distress, your body starts to react physically and it manifests in the form of tension headaches, fatigue, insomnia, hypersomnia, changes in appetite, palpitations, and other somatic symptoms.
A Silver Lining - a.k.a. “You are not alone”
At Infragilis Minds, my dedicated team and I, understand, acknowledge and respect the weight of emotional strain that you and your loved ones are enduring. During this hour of a mental health emergency in West Bengal, we believe that your mental well-being is as crucial as your career, especially during this time of need. Our mission is to provide you and your loved ones with non-judgmental, safe, and compassionate professional support in a confidential space that will aid you in exploring your painful feelings, addressing your feelings of grief, betrayal, and anger, and then finally move toward rebuilding your strength, rekindling your hope and cultivating your resilience for you to thrive in life.
Here's how Infragilis Minds can help you:
- Individual Counseling Sessions: We have a dedicated team of highly skilled and compassionate Psychologists who understand the present crisis and deeply empathize with the situation. We can be your guiding light in not only managing your stress and anxiety, and navigating messy and hurtful feelings, but also fostering a new sense of hope and Empowerment in your journey of life, for every individual going through this crisis. The counseling sessions are conducted online (audio and video) and are completely confidential, which you can take whenever you need during this critical period.
- Psychological Support Groups: I have witnessed in my clinical practice, that connecting with people who have or going through similar distress that you are in can prove to be incredibly comforting, validating, and empowering. Infragilis Minds has created specific psychological support groups on various social media platforms where you can share your feelings without being judged and also learn from the healthy coping strategies used by other group members.
- Online Workshops for Stress Management: Our team has been organizing virtual sessions that are dedicated to cater to your stress, anxiety and worries, by equipping you with effective stress management tools and healthy coping strategies, to help you cope with the present distressing situation.
- Online Resource Library: Our website has the finest collection of self-help books, articles and psychological guides that are meant to aid in navigating your emotional distress of job loss and uncertainty. Read more to feed your mind the healthy nutrition that it deserves.
A Call to Help:
This is my earnest request to you, sir/miss, do not neglect your mental health at any cost. Whenever you feel distressed and emotionally unwell, kindly get in touch with a good Psychologist. Always know that you are not alone in this fight, as we are here, standing firmly with you during these turbulent times.
Your feelings matter and they are deeply valid. Always remember that seeking mental health support is an act of strength and courage. Please do not make an essential necessity of your life a weakness just because of any social stigmas. Your mental health is as important as your physical health and its high time that we all recognize that and walk together towards building our nation mentally healthy.
You can connect with us through:
- Visiting our website: infragilisminds.odoo.com
- Directly emailing us at: infragilisminds@gmail.com
- Messaging us on our Facebook page: @infragilisminds
- Messaging us on our Instagram page: @infragilisminds
(In case of any psychiatric emergency, please call Tele MANAS (NIMHANS) toll-free helpline 14416 or 1800-891-4416)
This letter is a heartfelt outreach, a sincere expression of compassion and solidarity for all the teachers of West Bengal. We recognize the mental health emergency that has arisen due to the systemic fraud in our state, and we promise you to be rest assured that we are here to provide a safe haven of psychological support for your mental well-being during these challenging times.
Be Infragilis, sir/miss.
We stand with you.
Warmly,
Arindam Sen, Consulting Psychologist
Founder & CEO - Infragilis Minds