Rhea Chakraborty on feeling dehumanised in jail after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death: Tips to reintegrate into society after life-changing events

After facing significant personal challenges or life-changing events, reintegrating into society can be a complex process. 

Actor Rhea Chakraborty in conversation with Karishma Mehta for her podcast, reflected on her time in jail after boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput’s untimely death in 2020. She spoke about the profound impact the experience had on her sense of self and identity. 

“Jail is actually a very different world because there’s no society in jail. There is a weird sense of equality. Everyone is a number, they are not a person. You are a UT number when you are in under trial prison…It’s a strange world, it’s a very evolved crowd. Because it’s just human emotion at its basic rawest. It’s survival. You have to survive each day, and each day feels like a year. It takes a long time for a day to finish because you’re literally doing nothing. There it is paused,” she said.

She continued, “My time in there was actually really difficult in the first two weeks to kind of adjust to this situation because no one ever believes that they are going to jail. Once you are in there, it takes a long time to understand that this has happened. There is a deep depression and darkness that I obviously experienced…You are really thinking negative thoughts now. I’ve always been a very bubbly, positive person, like delusionally optimistic.” 

As individuals work to rebuild their lives, understanding the psychological and social aspects of reintegration becomes crucial.

Cognitive restructuring can help by reframing negative thoughts and moving from a reactive to a more adaptive mindset (Source: Freepik)

Common psychological challenges individuals face

Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Answer Room, tells indianexpress.com, “Major personal setbacks or trauma calls for both interpersonal and intrapersonal concerns i.e., their relationship with self and their relationship with others, family, friends, professional relations, among others”

She continues, “The real struggle is how one views themselves, shattered sense of self especially after an event which strips of previous identity can lead to identity crisis where one finds it difficult to recognise themselves.”

Trauma often leads to PTSD when an individual gets flashbacks, heightened negative intrusive thoughts, nightmares about the life event and often experience difficulty in sleeping and eating. 

“Depression is common, marked by persistent feelings of hopelessness, a low mood, and a diminished will to continue with life. Anxiety also frequently manifests, presenting as constant worry, restlessness, and fear that similar events might recur,” Khangarot informs.

There may be a prolonged state of being ‘stuck’ in the fight-or-flight response, which dysregulates the nervous system. Additionally, feelings of shame and guilt often emerge, as individuals may unconsciously blame themselves for what occurred, leading to self-sabotage and negative self-judgments.

How can individuals rebuild their self-esteem and sense of identity?

To rebuild self-esteem and identity, Khangarot says individuals can:

-Seek professional help to understand their experiences and learn strategies to navigate their challenges.

-Engage with a trusted support group or safety net — people who provide reliable emotional support.

-Adopt a ‘one day at a time’ approach by setting small, achievable daily goals, such as getting out of bed, talking to a friend, or eating regular meals.

-Participate in activities and hobbies that bring joy and meaning, like enrolling in a class or exploring new interests.

-Practice self-compassion and mindfulness techniques, such as gratitude journaling, belly breathing, or visualisation exercises, to foster inner calm and clarity.

Managing public scrutiny or stigma

Khangarot says, “As I mentioned earlier, major life events don’t just hamper our social image,  but also how we view ourselves, which means that it goes down to shaking our core beliefs. Cognitive restructuring can help by reframing negative thoughts and moving from a reactive to a more adaptive mindset.”

Getting involved with individuals, organisations which support and work towards what one has experienced, can also help along with building a support system that understands you and provides you with a non judgmental safe space. 

“Utilising platforms or agencies that allow individuals to share their stories and be heard can further empower them to reclaim their narrative and reduce the burden of stigma,” she mentions.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

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