Sadiqua interview

I am blessed to have a supportive husband who took over the reins of
the business completely leaving me to fly towards my dream.
You make it sound so easy and simple, but the total commitment
towards your dream is seen through the fact that you got back to
studying after quite a few years of your formal education.
Was it tough to restart studying after many years of break?
It was definitely *not* a cake walk.
But, it also helped me to experience what
people go through when they want to give
up studies half way, so I am better able to
understand and guide those who come to
me for *life skills and career guidance*.
And to those reading I would like to say
that it is never too late to upgrade oneself.
A lovely reiteration, indeed. So now that you are exactly where you
want to be, do tell us what is your broader vision and mission?
My vision always was and will always be, to see those who reach out to
me for help, get the best possible help that I can offer.
My mission is to reach out and let everyone *know* that there are
solutions to every issue and that I will always hold on until they are ready
to fly on their own to fulfill _their_ dreams.
In today's time and date, counselling is definitely a much needed
platform to help people gain emotional strength to cope with life.
How do you cope with stigma attached to mental health?
There is *no stigma*. Even a conservative society like India, has woken
up to the fact that *mental wellness is as important as physical health*,
exactly like a diabetic need not feel shame, similarly, a person
experiencing schizophrenia need not feel any.
One could say, that we all feel apprehensive when we try something for
the first time. *A counselor's job* begins with accepting this
apprehension and offering reassurance that the process is *designed to
be helpful in a dignified manner*.