By: Prof. Jayadeba Sahoo
Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah | Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu, Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet | Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
May everyone be happy, may every one be free from all diseases, may everyone see goodness and auspiciousness in everything, may none be unhappy or distressed. Om peace, peace, peace!
Mental health is essential to our overall well-being and as important as physical health. When we feel mentally well, we can work productively, enjoy our free time and contribute actively to our communities. In recent years, there has been increasing acknowledgement of the important role mental health plays in achieving global development goals, as illustrated by the inclusion of mental health in the Sustainable Development Goals. That’s why ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing’ is a part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It comes under SDG goal 3 that not only focuses on physical health, but mental health as well. As per the goal, the target is to reduce one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote ‘Mental Health and Well-Being’ by 2030.
What Is The Importance Of World Mental Health Day?
“The impact of the pandemic on people’s mental health is already extremely concerning,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. A study reported a 3-fold increase in the prevalence of symptoms of depression compared to estimates before the epidemic. To fully realise the mental health crisis that India faces in relation to COVID-19, one has to begin with recognising the very serious situation that existed even before the pandemic. World Health Organisation (WHO) states globally, around 280 million people of all ages suffer from depression, whereas around 1 in 5 of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental disorder and it is the leading cause of suicide among 15-29-year-olds. People with severe mental health conditions die prematurely – as much as two decades early – due to preventable physical conditions. It further adds that mental, neurological disorders make up 10% of the global burden of disease and 30% of non-fatal disease burden. Globally, “Such alarming statistics call for awareness to be raised about depression and anxiety,” Dr Isaac said. The Global Burden of Disease study estimated that nearly 200 million people in India have experienced a mental disorder, nearly half of whom suffer from depressive or anxiety disorders. India accounts for more than a third of the female suicides globally, nearly a fourth of all male suicides, and suicide has been the leading cause of death in young Indians.
Ministry of Family and Health survey also states that in India, one in every 12 elderly persons have symptoms of depression. One out of every two employees in corporate India suffers from anxiety and depression. An increase in alcohol consumption is another area of concern for mental health experts. Statistics report that 20% of 15-49 year-olds has increased their alcohol consumption during the pandemic.
The idea of celebrating World Mental Health Day took ground and created In 1992 by the World Federation of Mental Health led by the then deputy secretary-general, Richard Hunter. They didn’t have a precise objective other than to advocate for mental health as a whole. To say the least, it was an uphill climb to change a plethora of bad and dangerous habits that were making a difficult situation worse for people. The world had a host of mental health issues that weren’t properly being treated due to an overall ignorance in regards to what mental health actually is. The WFMH knew that they needed to act on a global scale to solve a global crisis.
The first World Mental Health Day theme was ‘Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World’ in 1994. 27 countries sent feedback reports after the campaign and there were national campaigns in Australia and England. Continuing this momentum, WFMH board members across the globe arranged events in accordance with the day and its growing popularity among government departments, organizations, and civilians alike. This day provides an opportunity to come together and act together for mental health issues that is currently affecting the world and ensures people are able to enjoy good mental health.
What Is The Theme Of World Mental Health Day 2021?
Every year, the World Health Organisation marks October 10 as the World Mental Health Day, with the overall objective to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide. World Mental Health Day (10 October) is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
Every year, the day is marked with a particular theme, this year, the theme is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’ that focus on reducing the gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ that is growing wider by every passing day and there is continuing unmet need in the care of people with a mental health problem.
World Federation for Mental Health that helped in choosing the theme of this year’s World Mental Health day states that this theme aims to highlight that access to mental health services remains unequal, with 75% to 95% of people with mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries unable to access mental health services at all, and access in high income countries is not any better. It further states that many people with a mental illness do not receive the treatment that they are entitled to and deserve. Together with their families and caregivers continue to experience stigma and discrimination. This Day is an opportunity for organisations to raise awareness and funds for their work, for people to reach out to one another and call for change. “We need to act, and act urgently.”
Looking after our mental health
Self-care is paramount and the first step towards looking after our mental health. Understanding the basis of effective psychotherapy and psychological self-healing is a basis of experiencing greater inner peace, wholeness, and experiential authenticity. So Unmute Yourself, Your Feelings and Thoughts. Laugh out Stress.
Tips for Promoting Good Mental Health
A set of 10 thoughts can be visualised every morning, once after every hour, every night before sleep and before consuming food and water. Spiritual study of 10 mins during commute keeps the mind filled with Power, Peace, Positivity and Purity.
1) I’m a Powerful Being. mein Shakti saali atma hu. I am above everything, every situation. 2) I’m a Peaceful Being. No irritation, No angriness, No jealousness. 3) I’m a Happy Being. I am always happy. 4) I’m a Fearless Being. 5) My Body is perfect and healthy and will always be. 6) God’s Power is a circle of golden white light around me. Nothing can enter into this circle. God is always with me. I’m protected by God’s Energy. mein hamesha uske shaktiyo se surakshit hu. 7) My Family is Safe. God’s Power encircles around my house, the hospital and the world.
8) My relations & family are lovely. We have very good relations among us. 9) God’s Power encircles around the world. My Planet is Safe. 10) I’m God’s Angel and God has chosen me to bestow happiness and health to all.
= OM SHANTI=
(The writer is Sr. Faculty, Brahma Kumaris, RERF, & Professor (Ex-Dean & Head), Faculty of Education, Rajiv Gandhi University, Cell: 8837245051, Email: [email protected] , [email protected])
