The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a detailed report on the state of global mental health. The report highlights an urgent need for more action to address mental health issues worldwide. This has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has contributed significantly to worsening mental health conditions.
According to the report, almost a billion people were living with some form of mental health issue in 2019. Out of these, 14% were adolescents. For some, their mental health condition resulted in dying by suicide, accounting for one in 100 deaths, predominantly under the age of 50. Furthermore, depression and anxiety rates spiked by 25% in the first year of the pandemic.
Implementation of the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan
The Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030 has been adopted by all 194 member states of WHO, but progress has been slow. Apart from the pandemic, other structural factors threatening mental well-being include social and economic inequalities, public health emergencies, wars and the climate crisis.
Sufferers of mental health issues typically live around two decades less than the general population and accessing mental health services remains challenging. Seventy-one percent of psychosis patients globally do not receive treatment. High-income countries manage to provide treatment to 70% of psychosis patients, while low-income countries only help 12%.
Proposed Paths to Transformation
To expedite the progress on the Action Plan, the WHO report suggests three key ‘paths to transformation.’ These include increased investment in mental health, reshaping environments, such as homes, schools, and workplaces that influence mental health, and strengthening the quality of mental health care by diversifying it.
Understanding Mental Health
The WHO defines mental health as a state of well-being where individuals can cope with the normal stresses of life, realize his or her abilities, work productively and fruitfully, and contribute to their communities. Mental health, like physical health, is crucial at every stage of life.
Challenges in Mental Health
High Public Health Burden: India’s National Mental Health Survey 2015-16 suggests that an estimated 150 million people across India require mental health care interventions.
Lack of Resources: Poor allocation of financial resources and low mental health workforce numbers in India have created barriers to public access to affordable mental health care.
Other Challenges: Lack of awareness about mental illness symptoms, social stigma, and reluctance to seek treatment significantly contribute to the mental health crisis. This results in a massive treatment gap which further worsens existing mental illnesses.
Steps Taken by the Indian Government to Promote Mental Health
Healthcare is recognized as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The government has been implementing the National Mental Health Program (NMHP) since 1982.
Mental HealthCare Act 2017: The act guarantees every person affected by mental health issues access to healthcare and treatment from government-run or funded services.
Recently launched initiatives like the ‘Kiran Helpline’ and ‘Manodarpan’ aim to support individuals dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health concerns.
A Forward-Looking Approach to Mental Health
The mental health situation in India requires active policy interventions and resource allocation. Measures to train and sensitize the community about mental health are needed to reduce associated stigma. Innovative models, such as the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), have been introduced to deepen service and staff penetration.
Education and awareness regarding mental health require constant funding. It is crucial to engage the masses to learn about mental health through campaigns like the ‘Swachh Mansikta Abhiyan.’
