Skip to main content
Importance of Mental Health
Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences

Importance of Mental Health

Dr. Samir Parikh Feb 12, 2024

In today’s times, while many of us do take out the time from our hectic schedules to pay attention to our physical health, such efforts are not so evident towards our mental health. For instance, imagine a situation when one is physically unwell, there is a greater likelihood of the person consulting a physician, getting investigations to identify the underlying cause, and even taking leave from work. However, consider a similar situation in terms of one’s mental health. If one is being unable to cope with the stressors, and is having difficulty in working, how likely is such an individual to seek help, to reach out to a mental health professional in order to identify the cause, and manage these symptoms more adaptively, and even take leave from work? Very bleak. In fact, there is a much greater likelihood of such a person simply waiving off his or her experience as a bad day, and to try and move on, facing the challenges of the next day.

Awareness about Mental Health

As the occasion of World Health Day approaches, it becomes important for us to think about the status of mental health in our country today. With the advent of the first ever National Mental Health Policy declared recently, the widespread stigmatization of mental health related conditions has been clearly recognized. However, despite the growing awareness and realization, there still remains a wide gap to be filled in to ensure adequate support and services for all.

It is appalling to see the epidemic rates at which mental illnesses are on the rise today. In fact, it is predicted by the World Health Organization that 20% of India’s population will suffer from some form of mental illness by the year 2020. With our increasing dependence on technology over the past couple of decades, it is not surprising to note a social deprivation, as we tend to rely more on social media being given preference over more personal and direct forms of social interactions. This in turn, further aggravates social alienation, thereby leading to an increase in bystander apathy. With the unprecedented increase in crime rates, corruption as well as surmounting unrest among the population, there is ample evidence to show the need to focus on the needs of promoting mental health and psychological well-being today.

Overcoming Challenges

Despite the increasing efforts, mental health is still largely shrouded by myths, with a large cross-section of the society being discriminated against. Further, it is these issues which further breed hesitancy and reluctance towards seeking professional help. Moreover, fear of such a stigma further prevents the timely identification and reporting of mental illnesses. The consequences of undiagnosed or untreated mental disorders could be severe, influencing the physical, social functioning as well as overall health outcomes. Furthermore, ignorance also breeds indifference in our society, as bystanders become more apathetic.

However, at the same time we do need to acknowledge the signs of increasing acceptability, as we witness a greater number of people who are now willing to reach out to a mental health professional, for a wide range of problems including not just adverse life circumstances or emotional or adjustment issues, but also for more severe mental disorders including psychosis.

The need of the hour

Besides striving to free our society from the clutches of stigmatization, the need of the hour is to strongly advocate the preventive as well as curative aspects of mental health. We all should come together to work towards targeting the very grass-root levels, and help make a difference in the community at large. The biggest achievement towards such a goal of de-stigmatization would be to ensure widespread awareness about mental illnesses amongst the general population, to be able to overcome the reluctance associated with mental health and thereby encourage reporting as well as seeking help. At the same time, we need to promote an adequate training and empowerment of parents, teachers, social workers, staff and all those first-line workers actively engaging with children and adolescents, to be able to have the earliest identification as well as timely interventions for the young minds who shall form the future of our country.

Therefore, it is important to realize that with adequate and timely identification as well as interventions, we could empower ourselves with prevention of mental illnesses, and millions of people suffering from mental illnesses could actually be reached out to, and with appropriate assistance and support could be helped to be able to have an adequate personal, social as well as occupational functioning. As a final word, I think we have a three-fold responsibility towards the future of mental health in our nation today – spreading a widespread awareness, creating sensitivity within ourselves, and building a preventive approach to be able to reach out to all sections of the community.

Categories

Clear all

Meet the doctor

5961.jpg
Dr. Samir Parikh
CONSULTANT MENTAL HEALTH & BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES | Fortis Shalimar Bagh
  • Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences | Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences | Psychiatry | Clinical Psychology
  • Date 21 Years
  • INR 900

Related Blogs

View all
Are We Under Or Over Diagnosing Psychological Issues In Children - Dr. Sameer Kalani
Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences

Are We Under Or Over Diagnosing Psychological Issues In Children

Dr. SAMEER KALANI Jan 23, 2024
Healthy Coping Strategies To Adopt When You Are Overwhelmed By Your Workload
Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences

Healthy Coping Strategies To Adopt When You Are Overwhelmed By Your Workload

Dr. Samir Parikh Jan 23, 2024
Dealing With Relationships: A Guide For Young People
Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences

Dealing With Relationships: A Guide For Young People

admin Nov 08, 2023
Asking For Help - Things To Share And Consider When Seeking Help
Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences

Asking For Help - Things To Share And Consider When Seeking Help

admin Mar 18, 2023
Building Teams That Connect At Work
Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences

Building Teams That Connect At Work

admin Oct 11, 2023
How Psychological Safety Looks Like At A Workplace
Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences

How Psychological Safety Looks Like At A Workplace

admin Nov 07, 2023
How To Create A Workplace That Motivates Employees To Do Their Best
Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences

How To Create A Workplace That Motivates Employees To Do Their Best

admin May 29, 2023
How To Make A Smooth Transition To A New Job
Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences

How To Make A Smooth Transition To A New Job

admin Oct 11, 2023
Taking Care of Your Psychological Well-Being While Working
Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences

Taking Care of Your Psychological Well-Being While Working

admin Jan 29, 2024
Supporting People With Mental Health Conditions At Work
Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences

Supporting People With Mental Health Conditions At Work

admin Mar 18, 2023

Quick Enquiry Form

barqut

Keep track of your appointments, get updates & more!

app-store google-play
Request callback