Chennai: How worse would be the situation, if members of the family prevent those suffering from stigma and discrimination from seeking guidance? Do you know that only one in 10 people with mental health disorders receives evidence-based treatment?
The 49th annual conference of the Indian Psychological Association explains the need of mental awareness with the theme ‘Integration of pathways in emergency mental healthcare.’
“Indian Psychiatry Society meticulously works on providing psycho education and information to people. They need continuous and lifelong medication,” said Dr Ashok Reddy, president of Indian Psychiatry Society-South Zone.
“We distributed free medicines to the public in Kannore, this World Mental Health Day so that awareness is created,” he added.
India’s next biggest health and societal crisis is ‘mental health’. Reports say that over 15 per cent of the country’s population, i.e. 100 million Indians live with some kind of mental health concern, with the number increasing every year.
Adding to the surprise is the lack of mental health workers and psychiatrists. India has only 6,500 trained psychiatrists and roughly 22,000- 25,000 mental health workers, including social workers, psychologists and counselors.
“The problem is the lack of doctors. We must take steps to improve the psychological standards in our country,” said Dr Prasad Rao, guest of
honour.
Awards and prizes were distributed to outstanding performers preceded by electing Dr Sivarama Krishnan as the new president of the South zone.
The release of abstract was done by Justice M. Venugopal of Madras high court who briefed about various penal codes against offenders who affect women through violence, thus making them psychologically weak.
“Women must be treated as equals and not as servants after marriage. It is really pathetic to see that report from WHO which states more than 70 per cent women are sexually or physically assaulted by their partners,” he said. The conference had speakers who shared their views on mental health and Indian Psychological Society.
