Mental Health Disorders
Mental Health Disorders On The Rise During Covid. This year mental health has got a slightly different atmosphere as the Covid-19 challenge has yet to end, coupled with the fear of a second wave in the winter.
The theme of this year’s celebration, Mental Health for All is also in line with this epidemic phenomenon that affects almost everyone in diverse circumstances. In addition to the direct impact on physical health, this epidemic also has an indirect impact on human social well-being and mental health.
The Stats
Global statistics have shown an increase in cases of psychological stress, depression, anxiety, acts of self-harm and domestic violence during this period. Also, a World Health Organization (WHO) study involving 130 countries reported that more than 60 per cent of psychiatric and mental health services were directly affected by this epidemic.
These include postponement of appointments and therapies, lack of resources, patient logistics issues, finances and services that cannot meet current needs. This indirectly reminds us of a fact that has long been mentioned, namely about the lack of resources in mental health services that need to be taken seriously. The country’s ability to cope with the complications of this epidemic in terms of mental health must be enhanced so that it is in line with the needs in the field.
The Affects
We are aware of the mental health status of Indians that need serious attention. The prevalence of mental problems has tripled from 10.7 per cent (1996) to 29.2 per cent (2016). Depression and anxiety are among the contributors to the issue of disability here. Not only that, mental health problems in the workplace have a significant economic burden on India, whereas much as INR 14.46 billion had to be borne due to the implications of mental problems in the workplace in 2018.
Even so, human resources for this field are still in critical condition. This can be seen from the rate of a psychiatrist per 100,000 Indians To understand this from a public health perspective, for example, with a prevalence of 8 per cent of cases of depression, this means that for depression alone, an estimated 1.6 million adult Indians suffer from depression – far more than the capacity of existing psychiatrists.
Public opinion on this global mental health crisis
Also, we have a shortage of clinical psychologists and counsellors in the public sector. Sadly, the budget specifically for mental health is only INR 50.82 million which is only one per cent of the overall national health budget. This is making people more anxious and everything (at least mentally) is in chaos.
What can be done?
The government should consider creating a one-stop centre such as the mental help centres concept for adolescents, collaborating with the Ministry of Education to create emotional management modules for more intensive students, working with the Ministry of Women and Family Development for parenting psychology courses for young families and the Department through pre-marital courses.
Also, mental health issues in the workplace should be given attention. Among those that can be recommended is the creation of more counsellor positions in government departments such as Federal and State Government agencies to help staff who suffer from stress.
We also need better mental health networks in the community for prevention and treatment in the community as well as rehabilitation to improve patients’ ability to return to society. For example, by increasing the capacity of more Health Clinics to hold a mobile team to provide home-based services to patients.
We also need to increase the empowerment of online counselling services by creating a more integrated approach.
The take from this
Covid-19 should make us aware of the importance of mental health in facing the short-term and long-term implications of this transmission. We all must play our roles in helping to improve access and increase investment in the mental health sector.
Cooperation from the community, the private and non-governmental organizations will fulfil the inspiration and hope from the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Month theme, ‘Mental Health for All’.
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