October 10 is observed as World Mental Health Day. The theme for this year is, ‘Mental health is a universal human right.” The idea is to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right. Mental health has become one of the biggest challenges of the present generation with more people dipping into depression and some even indulging in self-harm and suicide. Mental health comes stealthily and often unless families are sensitised it becomes difficult to understand if a member of the family is mentally ill and needs treatment such as psychiatric care and counselling. Social media seems to have aggravated mental health problems with individuals becoming more and more aloof and alone with only the mobile phone for company. The earlier bonhomie of sharing every little concern or something that brings joy with a friend, today young people are quick to share things about themselves with complete strangers they have met on the virtual world. A relationship is built and if that relationship breaks there is an emotional breakdown that builds into depression.
Covid 19 had brought in its wake mental health breakdown for millions across the world. Disruptions in human relationships and human contact created massive problems especially for young school children who missed their friends, their teachers and their offline lessons. Mental health is today considered a basic human right for all people and every person has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health which includes the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community. In fact, a mentally healthy person is an asset to the community he/she is part of and can become a productive member of society. Mental health is key to the overall health of a person.
What is frightening is that one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, which can impact their physical health, their well-being, how they connect with others, and their livelihoods. Mental health conditions are also affecting an increasing number of adolescents and young people. In India there are too few psychiatrists/psychologists per capita to reach out to those in need of mental health treatment. The least that the state can do is to ensure that people with mental health problems are not discriminated against or excluded and that they have access to the best mental health care because today this has become a basic, universal human right. Sadly many with mental health problems are not diagnosed until it is too late. It is important therefore that family members are aware about the signs and symptoms of mental health problems.
