At a motivational event – ‘A Life of Happiness’ organized by Inner Space Centre at University of Kashmir, Lt Governor said that in contemporary times, stress has become a social issue and many times people are overwhelmed by the situation leading to anxiety. The people, however, can be tremendously happy if they create a fine balance between external and inner journey, he underlined and rightly so.
If stress is real, so is happiness. One gets so entangled in peripheral things of life that he or she forgets to live and enjoy the ultimate bliss life is offering them. One must look at life in its entirety.
A recent National Mental Health Survey, conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, highlighted that approximately 150 million people across India need mental health care and treatment.
Also a report by the World Health Organization estimated that 7.5% of Indians were afflicted with some mental illness. The WHO report also predicted that the proportion would go up to 20% in the coming years.
Last year, the Government informed the parliament that it conducted the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) of India through the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, as per which the prevalence of mental disorders in adults over the age of 18 years is about 10.6%. Significant gender differentials exist with regard to different mental disorders. The overall prevalence of mental morbidity was higher among males (13.9%) than among females (7.5%); Prevalence of mental disorders/morbidity in age group 13-17 was 7.3%, 18 – 29 years: 7.5%, 30-39 years: 14.6%, 40-49 years: 18.4%, 50-59 years: 16.1% and 60 years and above: 15.1%.
The more things are supposed to change the more they remain the same.
Public health experts have repeatedly said that there is a manifold increase in mental health cases.
Even in familial and societal setups where mental illnesses are recognised as bonafide problems, there is a taboo around seeking treatment. And a large section of people believe that seeking expert help, even if it is available, is not really needed. This mindset needs a change for a better future.
Also, as has been rightly put by the Lieutenant governor, every person is unique and he or she just needs to recognize it. People need to dedicate themselves in the service of others. Everyone should try to wipe every tear from every eye and eradicate inequality.
