Journey of a school-boy’s account of mental illness

Kevitho Kera debut book ‘Brain through the meat grinder’ launched 

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | June 25

Basing on the experiences and challenges that an individual with mental health disorder suffer from, a book aptly titled, “Brain through the meat grinder,” authored by Kevitho Kera was launched here at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur on June 25 in the midst of families, friends and well-wishers. 

The book is a personal adaption of the author’s experiences and encounters with mental illness, divided into 10 distinct chapters. Narratives ranging from societal expectations of a person which forces one to become a cog in the machine, to loneliness and anxiety borne out of living in a life that demands much and gives back little and struggling with thoughts of suicide when one believes that there is no way out of it.

“Being an individual who has personally suffered and struggled with bipolar and Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), so this book is about my mental illness journey...it is as it is,” Kera stated.

Conveying the meaning of the title of his book, he explained that, “I was not having any physical problems as such, but it was related to the suffering inside my brain which felt like it was going through a meat-grinder, being shredded and torn to pieces, so that was the reason why I brought it up as my book’s title.”  

“It is not an attempt to bring out something which is deeply moving or ground-breaking; on the contrary it is simply a school boy’s account of my journey with mental illness,” he added. 

Nevertheless, Kera noted that through the book, it will open more doors to those suffering from similar conditions. While hoping the readers would be able to understand such individuals as he remarked how empathy is the strongest weapon when one is trying to help someone. 

“I hope through this book that I did my part in creating awareness on mental illness,” he said. 

At the same time, he pointed out how his family had played an important role “in helping indentify my suffering and which led to my recovery,” he mentioned. 

On the publisher’s note, Vishu Rita Krocha told that the book illustrates the mind’s most obsessive and terrifying thoughts when it is put through torment. “It takes immense courage to open up and talk about your personal struggles not just with family and friends but in this context, even with strangers,” said.

Furthermore remarking that, “it must be extremely hard to make someone understand what you’re going through because unless we experience it ourselves, we never fully comprehend how it must be like to live in such a world and in such a state of mind.” 

Krocha affirmed how mental health is one of the most pressing issues that society is currently facing with, particularly in the health care industry. “Many people are living with mental health conditions without getting the care that they need or deserve,” she observed. 

Having said that, she expected through the author’s book, it will be impactful in bringing about change in the hearts and minds of Naga society to accept the realities of mental illness. 

On her end note, she shared that, “things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand instead they are moments that touch one another.”  

Speaking as the special guest, Rosemary Dzuvichu, Professor, Department of English, Nagaland University, discerned how the best things in literature come out of angst, suffering and emotions. 

She further said that mental health is not a new issue in the State however, the underlying matter is the fact that, “we still have not realised the need for professional help.” 

Making observations on the book, Dzuvichu said that it is a very easy yet emotional reading while encouraging not just youngsters but folks from older generations to read the book so as to understand their own child’s problem. 

The book has been published through PenThrill publication house, Kohima and will be shortly available in local book stores and through the e-commerce platform, ilandlo.