World Mental Health Day: Dignity in mental Health
Author(s): City Air NewsLudhiana, October 9, 2015: Mental 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,...
cityairnews
Oct 9, 2015 09:30
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Ludhiana, October 9, 2015: Mental 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. A person struggling with his or her mental behavioural health may face stress, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, grief, addiction, ADHD or learning disabilities, mood disorders, or other psychological concerns.
World Mental Health Day was initiated by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992. The day is used by many countries and organizations to raise public awareness about mental health issues and to promote open discussion of mental disorders, and investments in prevention, promotion and treatment services. The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, observed on the 10th of October, is "Dignity in mental health". To ensure that people preserve their dignity, it is important that their human rights are protected and respected. However, many people with mental and psychosocial disabilities, all around the world are deprived of their human rights. They are not only discriminated against but are also subjected to emotional, physical and sexual abuse. In addition, poor quality of care due to a lack of qualified health and mental health facilities can lead to further violations
Certain individuals and groups in society may be placed at a significantly higher risk of experiencing mental health problems. People with mental disorders experience disproportionately higher rates of disability and mortality. For example, persons with major depression and schizophrenia have a 40% to 60% greater chance of dying prematurely than the general population, owing to physical health problems that are often left unattended (such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and HIV infection) and suicide. Between 76% and 85% of people with severe mental disorders receive no treatment for their disorder in developing countries.
Because of fear of society and stigma, family members of persons with mental disorders often hide the patient in their house, do not seek treatment and are afraid what the society will say about them. Patient is hence denied medical care and often live in vulnerable situations and may be excluded and marginalized from society.
“Treatment of mental illnesses like Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, is possible and there are some highly effective treatments available. Unfortunately, fewer than half of the people receive the care they need. In fact in many countries this is less than 10%,” says Dr Ranjive Mahajan, Head of Department, Department for Psychiatry.
There are many ways to achieve dignity in Mental Health, i.e. by creating awareness that mental illnesses are treatable, just like diabetes and hypertension. Treatment if started early, can lead to improvement in the quality of life and also reduce the patient’s dependence on other family members. In the community we need to: support people with mental health conditions to participate in community life, and acknowledge the value of their contribution.
Dept of psychiatry, DMCH, is organizing a Caregiver awareness programme on World Mental Health Day : Dignity in Mental Health. With the help of role plays, poster making competition and sharing of caregiver’s experiences, it will be highlighted that the mental and behavioural problems are treatable and that, people with mental health conditions can continue to live with dignity. Principal, DMCH, Dr. Sandeep Puri stated that treatment of all kinds of psychiatric disorders and deaddiction are available in DMCH and indoor and outdoor patients are not discriminated against. The self respect and dignity of patients is of utmost priority.
Date:
Friday, October 9, 2015
