Chennai: It was only when she took up psychology in plus-2 that Sanaya suspected that her younger sister Susan suffered from a mental health disorder. Alarmed, she informed her parents, who booked an appointment with a psychiatrist. It was found that she was deficient in serotonin — a hormone that helps regulate one’s mood.
With the stigma of mental health continuing to exist in the country, not many people discuss mental health issues without terming it a ‘mental problem’.
Experts opine that the lack of awareness is one of the major reasons for the stigma. “Because of the lack of education on the same, many are unable to differentiate between a psychiatrist and a psychologist. Even for a minute problem, people approach a psychiatrist demanding medication,” said Elayaraja, a Counsellor with the 104 Helpline.
“Susan knew there was something wrong. She would spend hours reading, only to find out later that her mind had not absorbed any of it. However, she decided not to discuss it with anyone, for the fear of being termed ‘mental’,” said psychiatrist Dr Mini Mathew, adding that awareness against the stigma must be increased.
Despite Tamil Nadu is well ahead of other states in terms of health care, it is said that the state still has a long way to go in mental health care. “There is a major shortage in the number of psychiatrists and counsellors in the state. The public in the state still find it difficult to step out of their cocoons when it comes to mental health,” Elayaraj said, adding, “Many prefer to become diabetologists or cardiologists or fertility doctors as there is much more scope in those fields. Districts like Tiruvallur lack psychiatrists in the private sector.”
According to a recent report by the ministry of health and family welfare, ‘seven per cent of the population suffers from mental disorders. Over 90 per cent remain untreated as there is less than one psychiatrist available for every four lakh population.’
Experts say that it is not just the problem of diagnosis and the stigma attached to mental health disorders, but the severe shortage of mental health professionals and facilities in India.
“Psychiatry courses are also not considered lucrative enough by state governments,” said an official from the ministry of health and family welfare. “States need to increase the number of seats in colleges,” she urged.
