A recent (WHO) World Health Organization report suggest that there are 56 million people suffering from depression and another 36 million people from anxiety disorders.
It is also observed that mental health has a high effect among youths and children, the ratio is so high that every hour a student commits suicide in India.
Despite being 72 years of Independence to the country, the approach of the citizens for fighting mental health is not helping.
On the occasion of Independence day, pune365 aims towards fighting the battle of mental health, we spoke to experts, citizens and youths of Pune to support and understand the problem of mental health.
A City-based Psychologist opines, “The foremost Important thing which the country should do is change the way mental illness is seen. Mental illness is not being mad, it is a disorder where an individual feels depressed, stress and anxiety. The stigma regarding mental health should be broken, and to that, it is important that people have a proper knowledge about mental illness.
Ensure that people are comfortable talking to you about their problems, and seek for professional help at the earliest. Correct knowledge of mental awareness should be spread in schools and college, The society needs to be more accepting towards people who have suffered and still suffering.
And the essential part is to remember that “ Only Mad doesn’t need professional help, Mental illness can always be diagnosed and should be given equal importance like Physical health, he added.
Kajal Kanoje, Yoga instructor says, “Mental health concerns are some of the most misunderstood conditions in our city. People with mental illness are not only scared to approach others, but the attached stigma has also led to the lack of understanding and knowledge of the Mental health conditions.
Nobody has the time and inclination to understand the thin line between mental health and stress.
Every one of us is at stress at some point of time but that does not mean that our mental health is affected. Yet in some cases the stress is constant, and the person loses control over his temper etc and that could lead to mental issues.
Mental illness can be treated completely, my mother had gone through depression after getting separated from my father. Having seen this at an early age, I am well aware of reacting to it proactively, if ever I notice the slightest change in my family’s behaviour, Kajal adds.
Megha Kale, an MSC student confesses to making fun of her friend who was fighting depression.
Kale says, “my friend had a habit of staring at things constantly for hours, she was always absent-minded be it class, college and even during movies.
Initially, things were fine until one day she attempted suicide, that’s when we realized that she wasn’t dumb, there was something which was affecting her present life. Fortunately, she was safe and sound, after immediate intervention from a psychologist, things are much better now.
According to me, people suffering from mental illness need nothing more than a person to talk to them, support them, constant attention and better understanding.
Kale further adds that total acceptance from the society during and post-treatment is essential.
Nilesh Tiwari, Merchant Navy engineer opines that “There was a recent report from WHO which stated that people between the age group of 20-40 have a high risk of mental illness and parents, friends and everyone around them should be careful and take a note of any behavioural changes if noticed.”
Communication is the key to everything and such an illness is easily treated if the person just opens up to someone close to them. Though, expert advice is essential when things go beyond a certain limit.
Talking about the perception of our age group, I would only say that most of us don’t understand the intensity of mental illness, unless it turns out to be a major issue.
However with the increasing ratio of mental illness, I have started observing my dear ones closely, Deepika Padukone has rightly said ‘Parwa hai toh Dobara pucho’, so ask them whenever you find a change in them, they’re not always tired.
~~
#All views expressed in this article are those of the individual respondents and Pune365 does not necessarily subscribe to them.
- #MentalHealth: Talk, Treat And Recover - July 29, 2019
- #LifePartner: How Would You Break The News To Your Parents ? - July 25, 2019
- When Wagging Tails And Wet Noses Transform Lives - July 23, 2019
