“World Mental Health Day”

10 Oct 2014

ByBimal Raturi

Fellow “Gandhi Fellowship”

HealthHealth is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Mental HealthMental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.

Why Mental Health is a Big Problem

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Some FactsAround 20% of the world's children and adolescents have mental disorders or problemsAbout half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14. Similar types of disorders are being reported across cultures. Neuropsychiatric disorders are among the leading causes of worldwide disability in young people. Yet, regions of the world with the highest percentage of population under the age of 19 have the poorest level of mental health resources. Most low- and middle-income countries have only one child psychiatrist for every 1 to 4 million people.

About 800 000 people commit suicide every yearOver 800 000 people die due to suicide every year and suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds. There are indications that for each adult who died of suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide. 75% of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.

War and disasters have a large impact on mental health and psychosocial well-being.Rates of mental disorder tend to double after emergencies.

Mental disorders are important risk factors for other diseases, as well as unintentional and intentional injury. Mental disorders increase the risk of getting ill from other diseases such as HIV, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and vice-versa.

Stigma and discrimination against patients and families prevent people from seeking mental health care Misunderstanding and stigma surrounding mental ill health are widespread. Despite the existence of effective treatments for mental disorders, there is a belief that they are untreatable or that people with mental disorders are difficult, not intelligent, or incapable of making decisions. This stigma can lead to abuse, rejection and isolation and exclude people from health care or support. Within the health system, people are too often treated in institutions which resemble human warehouses rather than places of healing.

Human rights violations of people with mental and psychosocial disability are routinely reported in most countries.These include physical restraint, seclusion and denial of basic needs and privacy. Few countries have a legal framework that adequately protects the rights of people with mental disorders.

The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by the year 2020, 20% of India’s population will suffer from mental health issues.India accounts for more suicides than any other country in the world. In fact, India accounts for one third of all total global suicides.India is “youth suicide Capital”

Solutions

10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health

1-Talk About Your FeelingsTalking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled. It’s part of taking charge of your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay healthy.

2-Eat WellThere are strong links between what we eat and how we feel – for example, caffeine and sugar can have an immediate effect. But food can also have a long-lasting effect on your mental health.

3-Keep in TouchFriends and family can make you feel included and cared for. They can offer different views from whatever’s going on inside your own head. They can help keep you active, keep you grounded and help you solve practical problems.

4-Take a BreakA change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work or a weekend exploring somewhere new. A few minutes can be enough to de-stress you.

5-Accept Who You AreSome of us make people laugh, some are good at maths, others cook fantastic meals. Some of us share our lifestyle with the people who live close to us, others live very differently. We’re all different.

6-Keep ActiveExperts believe exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep, look and feel better. Exercise also keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy.

7-Drink SensiblyWe often drink alcohol to change our mood. Some people drink to deal with fear or loneliness, but the effect is only temporary.

8-Ask for HelpNone of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things go wrong. If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help.

9-Do Something You're Good At

What do you love doing? What activities can you lose yourself in? What did you love doing in the past? Enjoying yourself helps beat stress. Doing an activity you enjoy probably means you’re good at it and achieving something boosts your self-esteem.

10-Care for OthersCaring for others is often an important part of keeping up relationships with people close to you. It can even bring you closer together.

Thank You