Context
The World Health Organization has released two new reports: “World Mental Health Today” and “Mental Health Atlas 2024.”
Key Highlights
- Ahead of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health in 2025, the reports are essential resources for influencing the global discussion. health and well-being, which will take place in September 2025.
- More Than a Billion People Worldwide Suffer From Mental Health Problems: A Global Mental Health Issue.
- It is thought that in 2021, approximately 727,000 people of all ages died by suicide, with one suicide death occurring in more than 20 suicide attempts.
- The Most Prevalent Mental Health Illnesses: In 2021, over two-thirds of all mental health diseases were caused by anxiety and depression disorders.
- The number of those suffering from mental illnesses grew at a rate that was higher than the rate of increase in the world’s population between 2011 and 2021.
- Age Groups at Risk: Since 2011, the biggest increases in prevalence are thought to have occurred among younger individuals between the ages of 20 and 29 (1.8%).
- It is thought that males suffer more frequently from autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and an unidentified intellectual developmental disorder.
- Advancement on the SDGs: Suicide is the primary cause of mortality for young people in all nations and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- However, the rate at which suicide deaths are decreasing is insufficient to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which aims for a one-third decrease in suicide rates by 2030.
- Economic and Policy Ramifications: Although health-care expenses are high, the indirect expenses, especially in lost productivity, are much higher.
- Depression and anxiety alone are thought to cost the world economy approximately US$1 trillion annually.
- Low-Quality Care: Reinforces ongoing deficiencies in resources, workforce accessibility, and care quality, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.
- According to estimates, only nine percent of those with major depressive disorder worldwide receive even the bare minimum of care.
Issues with Mental Health in India
- Excessive use of the internet and social media: Results in attentional problems, sleep disturbances, and anxiety.
- Lack of family involvement: Weak social support systems have a detrimental impact on one’s emotional health.
- Poor lifestyle decisions: Eating ultra-processed foods and not exercising enough might exacerbate both mental and physical well-being.
Difficulties in India’s mental healthcare system
- Inadequate Psychiatric Hospital Conditions: Frequently linked to abuse, neglect, cruelty, and inadequate living conditions.
- Insufficient Funding: Only around 1% of the entire health budget is allocated to mental health, and the majority of it goes to institutions rather than community-based treatment.
- Disproportionate distribution: There are hardly any psychiatrists in towns and villages, and only a few in district headquarters.
- Economic and Accessibility Barriers: In rural or interior locations, medications are not available.
Important Actions Taken by the Indian Government
- 2017 Mental Healthcare Act: The act decriminalized suicide attempts in India and also incorporated WHO criteria into the classification of mental diseases.
- Rights of People with Disabilities Act, 2017: The legislation acknowledges mental illness as a disability and aims to improve the rights and entitlements of the disabled.
- The Kiran Helpline is a step in the direction of suicide prevention and provides assistance with crisis management and support.
- District Mental Health Program (DMHP): Provides services such as suicide prevention, stress management, and counseling in 767 districts.
- National Tele Mental Health Program (NTMHP): Established in 2022 to deliver mental health care via 53 Tele MANAS Cells spread throughout 36 states and union territories.
- Enhancing Mental Health Capacity: Improving mental health care and educational resources in hospitals and medical colleges.
Source: The BS
Mains PYQ
Q. In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care.Discuss. (2020)
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