Strategies for Mental Health Awareness in India
Over 10% of the world’s disease burden is caused by mental, neurological, and substance use problems, yet 85% of people in low- and middle-income nations do not have access to treatment.One In order to investigate ways to improve the mental health systems in nine of these nations, the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (2019–2023) was established. Mental health awareness in India is typically spoken in low tones or neglected entirely. There is a hidden agreement—a widespread understanding that discussing mental health in the workplace is best avoided. Why? The crux of the matter lies in trust—or the lack thereof. Employees have many concerns when it comes to discussing mental health at work.
According to a recent McKinsey Health Institute survey of 30 nations, Indian respondents reported the highest incidence of burnout symptoms (59%). Furthermore, they reported the highest level of occupational tiredness, 62%, closely followed by Japan (61%). Setting priorities based on the burden of health concerns and resolving disparities in connection to the causes and remedies of health issues are still major challenges. The moment has come to adopt a fresh approach with renewed vigour, given that the majority of the previous attempts to improve mental health in India is less developed and nations have failed over the past 60 years or more.
According to the 2016 National Mental Health Survey for Mental Health Awareness in India, the total prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) in India, which include anxiety and depression, was 5.1%, with an 80.4% treatment gap. When seeking Mental Health care, people with mental health disorders encounter numerous obstacles. People from underserved groups or difficult-to-reach locations face additional difficulties, which makes them use these services inconsistently. Mental health education in India is very important and mental health awareness campaigns can become both the means and the way of ending this apathy. Progressive government policies based on evidence-based approaches, an engaged media, a vibrant educational system, a responsive industry, aggressive utilization of newer technologies and creative crowd-sourcing might together help dispel the blight of mental illnesses.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
The two most prevalent mental health problems are:
Anxiety Disorders
Every year, more than 19% of adults suffer from an anxiety disorder, which includes:
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- panic disorder (panic attacks)
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- generalized anxiety disorder
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- Specific phobias (Fear Management)
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, impact about 10% of individuals each year and are distinguished by difficulty controlling one’s emotions.
Although public perception of mental illness has improved in recent decades, studies show that Stigma around mental health in India remains strong, owing largely to media stereotypes and a lack of education, and that people attach negative stigmas to mental health conditions at a much higher rate than to other diseases and disabilities such as cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
Government initiatives for mental health in India to tackle mental health issues
Realizing the impact that COVID-19 may have on the mental health of the people, the Government has taken a number of initiatives, including :-
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- Setting up of a 24/7 helpline to provide psychosocial support, by mental health professionals, to the entire affected population, divided into different target groups viz children, adult, elderly, women and healthcare workers.
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- Issuance of guidelines/ advisories on management of mental health issues, catering to different segments of the society.
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- Advocacy through various media platforms in the form of creative and audio-visual materials on managing stress and anxiety, and promoting an environment of support and care for all.
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- Issuance and dissemination of detailed guidelines by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru- “Mental Health in the times of COVID-19 Pandemic – Guidance for General Medical and Specialized Mental Health Care Settings”.
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- All the guidelines, advisories and advocacy material can be accessed on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website under “Behavioural Health – Psychosocial helpline” (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/).
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- Online capacity building of health workers by NIMHANS in providing psychosocial support and training through (iGOT)-Diksha platform.
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- Setting up Mental health NGOs in India, so that there is more and better accessibility.
Safe and healthy working environments are not only a fundamental right, but they are also more likely to reduce workplace tension and conflict, as well as promote employee retention, performance, and productivity. A lack of appropriate structures and support at work, particularly for individuals living with mental health issues, can impair a person’s ability to enjoy and perform their job successfully; it can undermine people’s attendance at work and even prevent them from acquiring a job in the first place.
Government, employers, the organizations which represent workers and employers, and other stakeholders responsible for workers’ health and safety can help to improve workplace mental health awareness at work through action to:
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- Prevent work-related mental health conditions by preventing the risks to mental health at work;
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- Protect and promote mental health at work;
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- Support workers with mental health conditions to participate and thrive in work; and
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- Create an enabling environment for change.
Schools and mental health education and action to address mental health at work should be done with the meaningful involvement of workers and their representatives, and persons with lived experience of mental health conditions.
Social media and mental health awareness:
People’s psychology can suffer greatly from stress or anxiety brought on by demanding, fast-paced job situations and high social expectations. Because of the particular difficulties we encounter in the digitisation and globalisation of information, mental health care for both individuals and populations has become vital and more important. In this regard, it is crucial to emphasise how social media has drastically changed society by altering how we connect, communicate, create groups, and obtain information. One way to encourage mental health care for people is through social media. Given how much time people spend on them and their nature as easily available and comprehensible information sources, their significant impact on the spread of health information is extremely beneficial. Social media platforms with an audiovisual component, like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok, are becoming more and more important because written health information might be poorly formulated or even lack scientific backing.
Conclusion:
To achieve Mental Health Awareness in India, the healthy and critical use of social media must be encouraged, educating users about the risks involved and promoting effective digital interventions that provide adequate resources and support. In doing so, we can maximize their potential as allies in mental health care and contribute to a healthier, more educated, tolerant and emotionally balanced society. Given that most previous initiatives to improve mental health awareness in India and in less-developed nations have failed over the last six decades or more, it is time to pursue a new approach with renewed vigour. Mental health awareness in India can serve as both a means and an end to apathy. Progressive government policies based on evidence-based approaches, an engaged media, a vibrant educational system, a responsive industry, aggressive utilization of newer technologies and creative crowd-sourcing might together help dispel the blight of mental illnesses.
Ultimately, improving mental health awareness in India hinges on empowering leaders and managers to cultivate trust. Trust acts as the bridge that connects individuals to support systems, promoting an environment where mental health conversations are welcomed and (above all) valued.
