Mental Health Disorders The statistical report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) recently, declared India as the most depressed country in the world along with a sharp rise in the cases of suicide, anxiety, addictions and many other psychological disorders. The magnitude of mental disorders in India
- Recent data suggest that mental health disorders are on the rise among 13-17-year-olds, with one out of five children in schools suffering from depression.
- According to the National Mental Health Survey of 2016, the prevalence of mental disorders was 7.3% among 13-17-year-olds.
- According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2016, in India, the suicide death rate among 15-29-year-olds was highest in Karnataka (30.7), Tripura (30.3), Tamil Nadu (29.8), and Andhra Pradesh (25.0).
- Women: the highest age-specific suicide death rate among women in 2016 were for ages 15-29 years and 75 years or older.
- Adolescent:
- Half of all mental health disorders in adulthood starts by 14 years of age, with many cases being undetected.
- Those who suffer from depression and anxiety in adulthood may often begin experiencing this from childhood and it may peak during adolescence and their early 20s.
Problems associated with the mental health disorder in India:
- Lack of access to mental health
- Lack of qualified clinical psychologist and psychiatry professional.
- In 2019, India’s health budget is 0.34 % of the GDP.
Insurance cover or they do not know that disorder is covered under insurance cover.
- The increased cost of treatment is proving deterrent as 80 % of people do not have
- There is a stigma associated with mental health disorder discourages people to approach help.
- Identification and diagnosis of mental health disorders, even as many can identify feeling sad and distressed, only about 8% can label it as depression.
Measure to be taken through various measures.
The mental health bill 2017 stated that every person has the “right to mental healthcare and treatment”. But Persons with mental illnesses can feel a disconnect between ground realities and government policies. Also read: Affordable healthcare in India Right to Health: Four Pillars of Healthcare
- Public policy
- Disseminating mental health awareness backed by progressive government policies, based on evidence-based approaches.
- Interventions conducted with 10,000 adolescents across 10 European countries, with a key success around the ‘Youth Behaviour and Mental Health’ segment. This resulted in adolescents with mental health challenges receiving psychological support via 45-minute sessions, which ensured a reduction in suicidal ideas and behavior.
- Parents and peers:
- Parents and peers can play an important role by being understanding and communicative.
- Parents and school administrations should sensitize themselves about what constitutes ‘warning signs’ like erratic sleep patterns and mood swings
- Peer support systems and trained counselors can encourage dialogue around seeking support and better coping mechanisms.
- Limited use to technology:
- There is evidence that technology can create loneliness, isolation and unrealistic expectations for adolescents.
- Limiting screen time and engaging in social activities may help them improve their movement.
- Spiritual approach
- In addition to yoga, pranayama the spiritual approach can bring from within Self-awareness and cam help them in experiencing a radical transformation within.
