What happens when speaking up about mental health puts you at risk? In this episode of Normalize The Conversation, Francesca Reicherter sits down with psychologist and mental health advocate Rooshan Alam, based in Pakistan, to talk about grief, mental health misinformation, online harassment, misogyny, and what it means to use your voice when speaking up comes with a personal cost. Rooshan shares why grief isn’t limited to losing someone to death. We talk about grieving friendships, relationships, identity, and the versions of ourselves we leave behind as we grow and change. We also explore how stigma can make it harder to sit with difficult emotions and seek the support we need. The conversation then turns to mental health misinformation online, including harmful beliefs about therapy, medication, vaccines, and mental health treatment. Rooshan explains why misinformation can have real consequences—and why correcting it can sometimes make the person speaking up a target. She also opens up about experiencing online harassment and threats as a woman speaking publicly about mental health in Pakistan, while sharing the moments that remind her why she continues her advocacy. Most importantly, this conversation is about finding ways to make a difference without sacrificing your safety. Whether that means publicly speaking out, sharing accurate information, supporting someone else, or simply taking one small action in your own community, advocacy doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. If you’ve experienced grief, felt overwhelmed by conflicting mental health information online, or wondered whether your voice can actually make a difference, this episode is for you. Topics include: Grief beyond death and lossIdentity grief and personal growthMental health stigmaTherapy and medication misinformationSocial media and mental healthWomen’s mental health and online harassmentAdvocacy and speaking upSmall actions that create changeHope and resilience If this conversation resonates with you, follow Normalize The Conversation, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may need it.
