The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 450 million people of all ages suffer from mental disorders. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.
October 10, has been marked as World Mental Health Day by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017 to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world. The theme for this year’s event is “Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World.” The goal is to highlight how young people can be affected
According to the World Health Organization, more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression. In fact, it is the leading cause of disability in the world. However, fewer than 50% of those suffering from this disorder have access to proper treatment. On Oct. 10th, 2015, representatives from over 150 countries met at the United Nations headquarters in New York City to discuss a global action plan for mental health.
Here are some statistics about Mental Health in India that shows the country has a long way ahead:
- WHO also states that the mental health workforce in India is not up to par and there is a huge shortage of psychiatrists and psychologists in the country as compared to the number of people suffering from mental illnesses. It claims that in India, (per 100,000 population) there are psychiatrists (0.3), nurses (0.12), psychologists (0.07), and while the desirable number is anything above 3 psychiatrists and psychologists per 100,000 population.
- WHO also estimates that about 7.5 percent of Indians suffer from some mental disorder and predicts that by end of this year roughly 20 percent of India will suffer from mental illnesses. According to the numbers, 56 million Indians suffer from depression and another 38 million Indians suffer from an anxiety disorder.
- Did you know India also accounts for 36.6 percent of suicides globally, and that suicide has surpassed maternal mortality as the leading cause of death among women and teenage girls aged 15-19 years? Lancet studies suggest that India’s contribution to global suicide deaths increased from 25·3% in 1990 to 36·6% in 2016 among women, and from 18·7% to 24·3% among men.
- The National Mental Health Survey 2015-16, conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, under the purview of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, revealed that 9.8 million teenagers in the age group 13-17 years suffer depression and other mental health disorders and are “in need of active intervention”. Whereas, according to a study by the Lancet, suicide deaths ranked first among all causes of death in women aged 15-29 years in 26 of the 31 states, and in women aged 15-39 years in 24 states in the country.
- According to the World Health Organization, mental health problems are a major burden on societies. The disability-adjusted life years per 100,000 people is 2,443 and the suicide rate per 100,000 people is 21.1.
- One in seven Indians were affected by mental disorders in 2017, according to the burden of mental disorders across the states of India: The Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2017. Mental disorders make up more than 10% of the total disease burden in India, which is almost double their contribution to disease burden in 1990.
- WHO also estimates that, in India, the economic loss, due to mental health conditions, between 2012-2030, is 1.03 trillion of 2010 dollars.
When it comes to physical health, people are so conscious and aware of the latest trends, but when it comes to mental health, they just aren’t there. So many people aren’t even aware that they may be suffering from a form of mental health issue and these statistics show the grim reality.
Here the question arises as to what are the mental health problems that our country is experiencing, hence the list of some mental problems are given below:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorders social anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder
Now the last thing is how to control these mental problems
1). Avoid alcohol, smoking, and drugs
Drinking and smoking aren’t things that we always associate with withdrawal symptoms, but they can cause some. When you’ve had a few drinks you can feel more depressed the next day, and it can be harder to concentrate. Drinking too much for prolonged periods of time can leave you with a thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is important for the brain and helps with memory problems, motor (coordination) problems, confusion, and eye problems. If you smoke between cigarettes, your body and brain go into withdrawal, which may make you irritable or anxious.
Other drugs will often leave you in withdrawal and can often cause very low moods and anxiety. More severe effects of drugs include paranoia and delusions. There is some research that suggests drug use is related to developing mental disorders like schizophrenia.
2). Get plenty of sleep
Sleep is really important for our physical and mental health. Sleep helps to regulate the chemicals in our brain that transmit information. These chemicals are important in managing our moods and emotions. If we don’t get enough sleep, we can start to feel depressed or anxious
3). Eat well
Eating well isn’t just good for our bodies, but it’s also important for our minds. Certain mineral deficiencies, such as iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies, can give us a low mood. Try to eat a balanced diet. If you find you’re a particularly stressed or anxious person, you should try limiting or cutting out caffeine as this can make you feel jittery.
4). Get plenty of sunlight
Sunlight is a great source of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps our brains release chemicals that make us happier, like endorphins and serotonin. Make sure you go outside in the sun for at least 30 minutes to two hours each day to get your daily dose. During the winter, some people become depressed due to a lack of sunlight. This is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Some people find that using a special light-therapy lamp helps alleviate their symptoms.
5). Manage stress
Stress is unavoidable, but know what triggers your stress and how to cope. Try to manage your responsibilities and worries by making a list or schedule of when you deal with each issue. Often if you break down your worries and stresses and write them down, you realize that they are manageable. Try to avoid avoiding stressful situations. If you are having trouble sleeping or waking up thinking about work, write down the issues and remind yourself that they can be dealt with in the morning.
6). Activity and exercise
Activity and exercise are essential in maintaining good mental health. Being active not only gives you a sense of achievement, but it boosts the chemicals in your brain that help put you in a good mood. Exercising can help eliminate low mood, anxiety, stress, and feeling tired and lazy. It is also linked to living a longer life.
You don’t have to run a marathon or play 90 minutes of football to stay fit. A short walk or some other gentle activity might do the trick just as well.
7). Do something you enjoy
Try to make time for doing the fun things you enjoy. If you like going for a walk, painting, or a specific TV show, try to set aside time to enjoy yourself. If we don’t spend any time doing things we enjoy, we can become irritable and unhappy.
8). Connect with others and be sociable
Make an effort to maintain good relationships and talk to people whenever you get the chance. Having friends is important not just for your self-esteem, but also for providing support when you’re not feeling too great. Research has found that talking to others for just ten minutes can improve memory and test scores!
9). Do things for others
Helping others is good for both the people you’re helping and yourself. It can boost self-confidence and make you feel like you belong in the world. Think about volunteering for a local charity or just being friendly to your neighbors.
10). Ask for help
One of the most important ways to maintain your mental health is to ask for help when you need it. When you feel like you can’t deal with life on your own, it’s OK to reach out and ask someone to support you. You can talk to friends or family members about what you’re feeling—they might have some good advice
We hope this blog has been helpful for you. If so, please share it with others! Check what WHO has to say about it here and If you want to improve your personality then read this. featured image
