Pramod Ram grew up in a small village in Bihar, India. Life was harsh from the beginning—he lost his mother as a child and was raised by his poor father. Repeated illness and a severe ear infection clouded his thinking and filled his early years with fear of death, confusion, and depression. Even after surgery saved his life, Pramod experienced ongoing mental confusion and anxiety. He married and had children but could not make ends meet. He moved to Delhi and joined the crowd of anonymous laborers. The struggles for survival weighed heavily on his mind, draining his mental wellbeing and emotional health. Pramod’s story highlights a truth: mental health challenges are real, and they can touch anyone at any stage of life. Recognizing the signs of stress and depression and practicing simple self-care (link to self-care page) for mental health can help restore balance.
One day, a simple visit to a barber shop changed everything. While cutting hair, the barber warmly shared about God and invited Pramod to a small cottage prayer ended—a supportive environment where people prayed and encouraged one another. That evening, Pramod went along. In the company of others, he heard the Word of God, felt their prayers, and for the first time began to sense peace in his mind.
“The problems in my mind started to fade,” Pramod recalls. “When the cottage prayer ended, I felt as though I was walking in the air… as if a heavy load had been lifted from my shoulders.”
As he continued to read the Bible and practice daily self-care habits like prayer and reflection (a form of mindfulness and stress relief), Pramod began to experience mental stability and inner peace for the first time in his life. Today he says, “My life is blessed. My family is joyful. Whatever I pray for, the Lord fulfils.”
Pramod’s journey shows that mental health struggles do not mean weakness. With faith, community, prayer, and simple self-care, even the heaviest clouds can lift, and your mental strength can grow.
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