October 10 is World Mental Health Day. It is a day to raise public awareness about mental health issues.
This year’s theme is “Investing in Mental Health.”
Dr Indra Mohan, Consultant Psychiatrist at Melbourne writes:
Dear friends,
I am writing this for the first time for my good friend and colleague. I’d like to thank Satendra for this opportunity.
We are celebrating world mental health day on 10th October. It’s a day for mental health awareness, education and advocacy.
It is but apt to write on this day for ‘Infinite Ability’ that in many ways urge us to harness our resources to achieve our potential. It is in last couple of decades that mental health has attracted lot of attention and discussion. World Health Organization talks about mental health as an important part of our well-being. It’s us what makes us special and investing in our own mental health is what we tend to forget.
Stigma is one huge monster we face when it comes to
mental health. Being open about own mental health problems and psychological
difficulties remain and this prevents many sufferers to talk about it and seek
timely, and appropriate help. We still find it hard to accept that we may
suffer from depression or any other psychological problems but the truth is
that these conditions are quite common and affects many in the community.
Mental disorders are treatable and like many other chronic conditions it causes
significant impact on life and burdens caregivers. So it is time that we
acknowledge and accept them and seek help to prevent further decline and
disability. We should attempt to have an open stance towards people who suffer
from mental health issues rather than a preconceived notion of fear and helplessness.
Treatment for mental illnesses is readily available
and affordable. However, we still continue to identify many untreated people
who suffer in silence, sometimes in shame and confusion. It’s disappointing
that the treatment rates of mental illness barely change. We should encourage
people to come forward and identify someone whom they can talk about it and
seek help.
Suicide is a common cause of death in young people and
untreated mental illness could often lead to suicides. In India, thousands of
students kill themselves each year. The numbers are rising alarmingly. Exams,
parental pressure, family problems, peer pressure, comparisons are among many
stressful life events and reasons for suicides. Helping people at the right
time and supporting young people who often go through tumultuous times in
education, career and employment might prevent adverse outcomes. Teachers play a
pivotal role and supporting and mentoring young brains would help in developing
a good community.
Investing on one’s own health is often neglected and
finding the balance is essential. We should take our own mental health day and
use that time to remember what is important and what more we can do to bring
peace and satisfaction in life.
“The butterfly counts not months but moments, and
has time enough”-Rabindranath Tagore
Indra Mohan
Department of Psychiatry, UCMS & GTBH celebrated the day by:
1. Newspaper release - Myths and misconceptions of mental illness Published in Dainik Jagaran on 11/10/2011, interview recorded on 10/10/2011 by hindi newspapers to create awareness among general public, to reduce the stigma .
2.Public
lecture on common presentations of mental disorders in department of Psychiatry
on 12/10/2011.
3.Television
interviews to create awareness about mental disorders on 12/10/2011.
4.CME
for doctors on "Insomnia & Management" on 19th October,2011.
