Thoughts on World Mental Health Day - 10th October

Prof Dr Jayadeba Sahoo *

"Health is the supreme foundation of virtue, wealth, enjoyment and salvation.
Diseases are destroyers of health, of good life, and even of life itself"

This statement was made by Charaka, one of the oldest physicians of India, about 2500 years ago; a statement that rings true for all time. Extending the concept of health, he observed significantly, "Life is spoken of as the union of the body, mind and spirit that support animation, flux and the link between the past life and the future".

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This implies that mental health should not be neglected in our quest to attain good health. With this principle in mind, WHO has designated 10th October as World Mental Health Day to raise awareness for mental health and drive a positive change for everyone’s mental health.

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?

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 condi- tions.

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.

Globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group. Depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents.

Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds.

The consequences of failing to address adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults. According to the National Health program by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 6% of Kerala’s population has mental disorders. 1 in a 5 has some emotional and behavioural problems.

Close to 60 to 70 million people in the country suffer from common and severe mental disorders. India is the world’s suicide capital with over 2.6 lakh cases of suicide in a year. WHO statistics say the average suicide rate in India is 10.9 for every lakh people.

WHO estimates that the burden of mental health problems in India is 2443 Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) per 10000 population; the age-adjusted suicide rate per 100000 population is 21.1. The economic loss due to mental health conditions, between 2012-2030, is estimated at USD 1.03 trillion.

The latest survey by India's National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) found that nearly 150 million Indians are in need of mental health care services, but fewer than 30 million are seeking care. "Over 10% of the population has diagnosable mental health or substance use disorder. Mental health is paramount, and getting treatment for mental disorders is not a luxury but a necessity," Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS, said.

Statistics show that 1 in every 5 individuals suffers from some form of mental health illness symptoms. 50% of mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% of mental health conditions develop by age 24. 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 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 2023?

Every year, the World Health Organisation marks October 10 as the World Mental Health Day, for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma with the overall objective to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

The Day provides an opportunity for all stake holders 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. Every year, the day is marked with a particular theme.

This year, 2023 the theme is “Mental health is a universal human right” focusing “Our minds, our rights" to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right 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. Mental health is a basic human right for all people. Everyone, whoever and wherever they are, has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health.

This includes the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community. Good mental health is vital to our overall health and well-being. Yet one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, which can impact their physical health, their well-being, how they connect with others, and their livelihoods. Mental health conditions are also affecting an increasing number of adolescents and young people.

The United Nations Declaration of Human rights articulates the ‘right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health’. It is the right to comprehensive mental, physical and social well-being by every human being. This includes:

o the right to be protected from mental health risks
o the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care
o the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community.

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-“Our Minds, Our Rights"

Mental health is already a global crisis even under normal circumstances. Every 40 seconds, there is someone committing suicide somewhere in the world. Depression rates and stress levels are at the highest. It's estimated that three out of four doctor visits today are stress-related. In the award-winning documentary Stress: Portrait of a Killer, renowned neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky reckons, "Stress is not a state of mind... it's measurable and dangerous, and humans cannot seem to find their off-switch."

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.

Life will be smooth and balanced only when physical and mental health is in harmony. The disturbed mental health of humans leads to suicide, drug addiction, mobile habituation, abnormal behaviour and murders, according to M. Vijaya Gopal, a former Superintendent of the Government Hospital for Mental Care.

Brahma Kumaris RajYoga Meditation –A Panacea

The most important thing we all need to do to stay strong and alert during these demanding times is to keep the inner energy high and the mind calm. For this, we will need to learn some practical techniques and acquire tools that are free from side-effects. This entails emphasis of Yoga for Healthy and Happy Life. The philosophy of Yoga is based on the axiomatic assumption that life must be viewed and understood in its totality.

“Brahma Kumaris RajYoga Meditation help to calm the mind and make us feel empowered from within,” says renowned spiritual leader Brahma Kumari Shivani. This Meditation and other spiritual inputs of Brahma Kumaris that enlighten us about the reality of life and the law of nature will be an ultimate refuge in the present situation and beyond," she prescribes.

Independent researches have demonstrated significant falls in cortisol levels, known as the "stress hormone" among practitioners of Brahma Kumaris RajYoga Meditation, taught in Brahma Kumaris suggesting greater levels of both relaxation and resilience to stress.

A study by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, concluded that regular practice of Brahma Kumaris RajYoga Meditation invokes positive emotions, replacing anger, frustration and jealousy. It's also found that it improves the blood cholesterol profile with significant drops in total cholesterol and LDL (harmful) cholesterol, as well as increase in HDL (beneficial) cholesterol.

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 hun. 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 shaktiyon se surakshit hun.
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=