Every year October 10 is celebrated as World Mental Health Day. During this period, our social media timeline is flooded with information regarding mental health awareness, even as mental health practitioners frantically reach out to people suffering silently in a corner. But what is the reality at the ground level? Looking at statistics in the USA, a developed nation, only 23.0 million adults (44.8%) received mental health care in the year 2019 from among the 51.5 million adults who were suffering from minor mental health issues*.
Now, it is anybody’s guess how much people in India would have availed of such services. The issue stems from the fact that even the scope of quality research becomes difficult in a nation that considers “mental health discussions” a taboo subject.
This needs to change — now and with a sense of urgency. Your mental health is the precursor for enjoying good, optimal physical health. Any minor mental health issue which is left untreated would not only lead to serious mental illnesses (SMI) like major depression, anxiety disorder, eating disorder and other psychotic disorders, but also develop physical illnesses in one form or the other. You need to take this seriously, if not for others wellbeing, but at least for the sake of your own sanity & good health. Here are some quick pointers to help you understand how much importance you place on mental health.
Your mental health day awareness score
- Are you aware there is such a thing called “mental health” and there exists professional therapists/counsellors who scientific treatments/therapy for the same in a confidential setting?
- Do you realise mental health issues are not just about severe psychotic disorders but also about prolonged sadness aka depression, acute stress, panic attack aka feelings of anxiety, inability to sleep aka insomnia, adjustment issues, distorted thinking patterns, etc.?
- Do you take care of you own mental health just as you take care of your physical health? In other words, do you love your mind just as you love your body?
- Would you seek the assistance of a Mental Health Practitioner, if you develop a mental health issue, just as you would approach a Doctor for your physical ailment?
- Are you aware that if your mental health issue is not addressed promptly, it may lead to further complications and you may even develop serious physical illnesses?
- Are you willing to spend time and money to get your mental health back to normal?
- Do you take adequate rest or apply leave where you work when you struggle with a mental health issue?
- Are you comfortable talking about yours as well as the mental wellbeing of others with your friends and family?
- Do you view mental health therapy negatively just because you can’t see the results immediately?
- Do you look down or judge others who go through therapy or do you encourage those who are mentally suffering to seek professional help?
Health is wealth
There is an age-old saying which says, “Health is Wealth”. We always thought this had to do with our physical health only. But thanks to the internet and our young generation’s ability to be candid, mental health too is now taken seriously. But we need to do more. Today, there are millions in India who are suffering silently for a prolonged period of time. They don’t have the courage or the awareness that there exist safe treatments for their mental health issue. Even the loved ones around them aren’t aware of their mental struggle. And even if they are aware, they blissfully dismiss it as a minor, temporary, not-so-serious event.
A change has to happen somewhere starting with us. Let us be that beacon who would guide people struggling in the vast, dark & tumultuous mental ocean safely towards the shore of a happy and meaningful life. But for this to happen, we ought to come out of our closet first!
*Note: NSDUH defines mental health care/services as having received inpatient/outpatient counselling or having used prescription medications for issues like emotions, nerves or mental health. And minor mental health issues are classified as “Any Mental Illness (AMI)” which includes mental, behavioural & emotional disorder which doesn’t result in serious functional impairment.