The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that close to one billion people in the world are living with a mental health disorder. Even though there are scientific, evidence-based treatments available to treat such conditions, more than 75 per cent people in low and middle-income countries don’t receive any of them.
Despite them being some of the most significant contributors to the burden of care, mental health disorders remain shrouded in stigma. People fear that they will be judged, misunderstood, mocked or discriminated against. In fact, stigma is probably the leading barrier to help-seeking behaviour. This stigma exists because we lack awareness about mental health problems, and because these aren’t spoken about freely and openly.
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HomeLifestyleHealthSix-step guide for mental health diagnosis
Six-step guide for mental health diagnosis
How often have we taken a day off due to a headache or a fever? How often do we ask friends for a doctor’s reference? Reaching out for depression is as normal, says Dr Samir Parikh, Director, Fortis National Mental Health Programme
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By: Express News Service | New Delhi |
Updated: June 13, 2022 4:01:35 pm
mental health, mental heath matters, mental health crisis in indiaOur mental health impacts practically every aspect of our life. (Photo: Getty Images/thinkstock)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that close to one billion people in the world are living with a mental health disorder. Even though there are scientific, evidence-based treatments available to treat such conditions, more than 75 per cent people in low and middle-income countries don’t receive any of them.
Despite them being some of the most significant contributors to the burden of care, mental health disorders remain shrouded in stigma. People fear that they will be judged, misunderstood, mocked or discriminated against. In fact, stigma is probably the leading barrier to help-seeking behaviour. This stigma exists because we lack awareness about mental health problems, and because these aren’t spoken about freely and openly.
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How often have we taken a day off due to a headache or a fever? How openly are we able to ask our friends for a reference to a doctor treating physical ailments? Can we envisage a time when we’re able to have similar conversations about our mental health as well? To reach that point, what we have to remember is that mental health is an integral part of health, and needs to be understood in the same manner as physical health. And so, mental health disorders are not a sign of personal weakness or something one can just snap out of. Instead, they’re caused due to an interplay of biological, psychological and social factors.
At the same time, mental health is not just about illnesses, but also about well-being. It’s also about our ability to cope with the pressures of everyday life, realize our potential, work in a productive manner and contribute to our community. Think about it, and our mental health impacts practically every aspect of our life.
We all have emotions, which can at times be pleasant or unpleasant. We all have experiences that shape the way we think and relate with the world. We all go through bad days every once in a while. We all probably also know someone in our circles who may be living with a mental disorder.
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