Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
Every year on October 10, World Mental Health Day is observed around the world. Numerous initiatives are planned on this day to raise awareness about mental health problems, their impact on individuals who are afflicted, and the lives of those who care for them.
On the concluding day of the Mental Health Awareness Week campaign, which was started last year by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, World Mental Health Day is observed in India.
World Mental Health Day 2022: Theme
‘Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority’ is the theme for World Mental Health Day in 2022.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), prior to the COVID-19 epidemic, one in eight persons globally experienced mental health problems. But there wasn’t enough financial and structural support for mental health. The worldwide epidemic increased peoples’ mental stress levels. The virus profoundly changed people’s lives. This tension has been exacerbated by recent military wars between states and acts of religious violence.
World Mental Health Day 2022: History
A non-governmental organisation called the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) was established in 1948. On October 10, 1992, Richard Hunter, who was the deputy secretary general of the WFMH at the time, declared the inaugural World Mental Health Day. Every year since 1994, a unique theme has been chosen for this globally acknowledged day.
World Mental Health Day 2022: Significance
The objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise public awareness of mental health concerns throughout the world and to motivate people to support mental health patients. The event makes sure that the issue of mental health is brought up and continues to be on people’s minds. The day offers an opportunity for mental health care professionals to exchange ideas and discover new strategies for ensuring that mental health treatment is available to everyone globally.
Mental Health in India
In India, various types of mental health illnesses affect 14% of the population on an average, according to Statista.
As many as 197.3 million individuals needed care for mental health disorders, according to an estimate of the burden of mental health conditions for the states of India. About 45.7 million of them had depressive illnesses, while 44.9 million had anxiety disorders and the rest had other mental illnesses. The Covid-19 epidemic has made the issue worse, making it a major global problem.
In the first six months of 2021, there were six times as many heart attack fatalities as in the preceding years. This is thought to be the outcome of the extreme emotional stress experienced during Covid. The number of people expressing thoughts of self-harm has clearly increased. Heart problems and diabetes are also linked to mental diseases. Kids are also experiencing a rise in psychological problems, according to health experts.
World Mental Health Day is a motivation for people to learn more, seek assistance, provide support, and open their hearts and minds to sensitive dialogues through hosting events, campaigns, activities, and more.
According to a gender-based examination, women were more likely than males to experience mental health problems. Because of bullying and victimisation, 3.8% of men and 3% of women reported having anxiety problems. Unfortunately, 8.3% t of women and 5% of males were susceptible as a result of sexual assault throughout childhood.
In India, various types of mental health illnesses affect 14% of the population on average, according to Statista. According to studies, as much as 10.8% of youngsters in areas like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Assam are anticipated to have delayed brain development. People are more aware than ever of their physical health. However, maintaining mental health is still often ignored.
Final thoughts
The goal of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness about mental health. It also provides an opportunity for people with mental health conditions to come together to celebrate achievements in this area and to speak out about what needs to be done to make mental health and well-being a top priority for everyone on the planet.
This blog focuses on a theme, history, significance and other important dimensions of mental health day.
You are advised to have frequent preventive health checkups to keep an eye on your overall health.
