President Ram Nath Kovind calls for more human resource to tackle the major gap in combating the mental health challenge in India.
A Momentous Step Forward: The Mental Healthcare Bill
Mental ill health is defined as a substantial disorder of thinking, perception or memory that grossly impairs judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality.
Mental ill health is defined as a substantial disorder of thinking, perception or memory that grossly impairs judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality.
‘Close to 14 percent of India's population required active mental health intervention. Mental health conditions can cause distress, impact on day-to-day functioning, and are associated with poor physical health.’
"About two percent suffered from severe mental disorders. Nearly two hundred thousand (two lakh) Indians take their own lives each year. If one includes attempted suicides, the number goes up substantially," said Kovind inaugurating the 21st World Congress of Mental Health here. Terming the statistics on mental health as worrying, Kovind said those living in metropolitan cities and the young -- whether in the productive age group or children and teenagers -- were most vulnerable to mental illnesses.
"We have a young population, with 65 percent of our people below the age of 35. And our society is rapidly urbanising. This leaves us staring at a possible mental health epidemic," said Kovind.
Buffalo Flight Disaster Research Yields Vital Lessons On Emergency Mental Healthcare
Researchers have stressed the need to integrate emergency mental healthcare in organizing disaster response.
Researchers have stressed the need to integrate emergency mental healthcare in organizing disaster response.
"In the field of mental health, the scarcity is even more acute. There are only about 5,000 psychiatrists and less than 2,000 clinical psychologists in our country," Kovind pointed out.
Advertisement
Facebook Status Updates Could Help Understand Mental Health Disorders
Our Facebook status updates, 'likes' and even photos could help researchers better understand mental health disorders with the right ethical safeguards.
Our Facebook status updates, 'likes' and even photos could help researchers better understand mental health disorders with the right ethical safeguards.
State-run Government Hospital for Mental Care in Visakhapatnam Awaits CoE Status
The hospital expects that the Centers of excellence status can increase manpower, new departments for psychiatric social workers, neurosciences and psychology.
The hospital expects that the Centers of excellence status can increase manpower, new departments for psychiatric social workers, neurosciences and psychology.
