Importance of Mental Health
Mental health is termed as a state of being physically, emotionally and psychologically sound. But the unbalanced nature of mental health not just affects one mentally and physically but also ruptures his day-to-day social relationships.
To spread awareness among people WHO runs a Mental Health Awareness campaign from 11th May to 16th May every year. The motto of this campaign is to make people more empathetic and acceptable towards mental and its problems and encourage them to seek proper treatment. The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘Nature’. Interaction with nature helps a person by reducing the feeling of being isolated by others and protect our overall mental health.
According to an estimation by WHO, about 56 million Indians suffer from depression and another 38 million Indians suffer from anxiety disorders. This is just an estimation, maybe the reality is even worse than that.
In the era where humans are connected virtually, we lack the essential social and emotional support of our family and friends. This feeling of hollowness leads to anxiety and depression. Besides social media platforms, other things like unhealthy lifestyle, childhood abuse, trauma, social negligence, genetic diseases also contribute significantly towards declining mental health.
From the past few years, mental health awareness programs saw some major positive changes. Now people have started talking about its importance and taking it seriously. But still, in many places the stigma against mental health is powerful and the main reason behind it is the lack of education and awareness. Because of the stigma many people still lack proper treatment.
Here are few meaningful things we may do to help the people suffering from mental health:
1.Show them respect and acceptance.
Most people face the problem of negligence, accepting their illness helps them to improve their mental health. Accepting them as individuals removes the barrier of social anxiety and depression.
2.Advocate for their rights
Ensure that they get equal opportunity and rights as other people get in the group or community.
3.Learn more about Mental health
This helps to support those who are dealing with mental health issues.
4.Seek professional help
We can get them professional help if they are having are serious mental conditions. Proper diagnostics and treatment will be the best possible way to overcome their problems.
In 2020 Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot launched a 24×7 toll-free mental health rehabilitation helpline no ‘KIRAN’ (1800–599–0019) to help people suffering from mental disabilities by providing them mental health rehabilitation services such as early screening, first-aid and most importantly psychological support.
The importance of mental health is well described by Lemony Snicket in The Blank Book “Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it isn’t so.”
Some mental health helplines and services that will help you through these uncertain times :
3- http://lifelinefoundation.in/
5- https://www.thelivelovelaughfoundation.org/
Content credit: Arpit Dwivedi
Managed by: Antima Dixit
Creative credit: Shravya Mallya
