Stigma attached to mental illness biggest barrier for patients health
Given its contribution to the global burden of disease,mental illness doesnt get the kind of attention and resources it deserves. Being a mentally ill patient carries huge stigma and this is perhaps the biggest barrier for mental health,feel city-based psychiatrists. The theme for this years World Mental Health Day,which is observed on October 10,is mental […]
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Given its contribution to the global burden of disease,mental illness doesnt get the kind of attention and resources it deserves. Being a mentally ill patient carries huge stigma and this is perhaps the biggest barrier for mental health,feel city-based psychiatrists.
The theme for this years World Mental Health Day,which is observed on October 10,is mental health and older adults. Six to seven per cent of Indias population suffers from common mental disorders and 1 to 2 per cent from severe mental disorders.
Dr Soumitra Pathare,psychiatrist at Ruby Hall Clinic,said, There are very few community-based rehabilitation programmes that can help a person,who has recovered from mental illness,earn his own living and be a part of society, said Pathare.
According to WHO,schizophrenia,depression,epilepsy,dementia,alcohol dependence and other mental,neurological and substance-use (MNS) disorders constitute 13 per cent of the global burden of disease,surpassing both cardiovascular disease and cancer. Depression is the third leading contributor to the global disease burden,and alcohol and illicit drug use account for more than 5 per cent. By 2020,an estimated 1.5 million people will die very year by committing suicide and between 15 and 30 million will make an attempt.
The stigma attached to the disease does not allow people to visit a mental health professional for an evaluation and keep suffering or seek solace in drugs and alcohol,which makes it worse ,said Dr Alka Pawar,Head,Department of Psychiatry,B J Medical College. Pawar said with rising concern for the quality of life for elderly,a geriatric medicine course has been started at the institute. We also have undertaken psychiatric evaluation of elderly,she added.
The effects of stigma deeply affect an individual at all levels,right from treatment seeking to social and financial opportunities and caregiver and family stress. According to a Global Programme of the World Psychiatric Association report,despite the significant scientific advances in the understanding of the cause and treatment of psychiatric disorders,stigma is growing,said Dr Madhusudan Solanki,member of the Indian psychiatric society.
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