World Mental Health Day observed at DMCH

Ludhiana, October 11, 2018: World Mental Health Day was observed today in Psychiatry OPD of DMCH, Ludhiana on the theme ‘Young people & Mental Health in a changing world’. Secretary of DMCH Managing Society-ShPrem Kumar Gupta was invited as the chief guest. Dr Ranjive Mahajan (Professor & Head of Psychiatry) addressed the gathering of dignitaries and patients present on the occasion. In his address, DrRanjiveMahajan said that ‘World Mental Health Day’ focuses on issues surroundingmental health. Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated, said Dr Ranjive Mahajan. In terms of the burden of the disease among adolescents, depression and suicidal tendencies are quite common but are not appropriately addressed in a timely manner. In general people are not aware of many childhood psychiatric disorders like Specific Learning disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Autism etc which often do not get diagnosed correctly and can lead to psychosocial problems in the adolescents. According to World Health Organization (WHO), India has now become the most depressed nation in the world ahead of China and the USA. Harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs among adolescents is also a major issue and can lead to risky behaviors such as unsafe sex or dangerous driving. Behavioral addictions like internet and gaming addiction are on the rise. Use of social media indiscriminately increases levels of stress and anxiety and can lead to cyber bullying in the young. In order to tackle these problems parents and teachers need to be aware of these disorders and notice changes in their wards behavior and seek help of a psychiatrist at the earliest. Parents should also monitor the online activities of their children and themselves act as role models. Principal Dr.Sandeep Puri said that DMCH, as an institution wants to raise awareness among the public to follow required precautions in preventing the diseases. Also present on the occasion were faculty members from Department of Psychiatry of DMCH and College of Nursing. The Postgraduate students of Psychiatry and students from College of Nursing presented two skit items which were well appreciated by the audience.In both the skits,they presented the view that children in modern times should be given proper care and attention by their parents and parents should not rebuke or ridicule a child if he or she scores less marks in in studies. A poster completion was also held on the topic of ‘Mental health Disease’ and winners were given prizes by the chief guest Sh Prem K Gupta.