Mental health is a major concern not only in India but around the world. Mental health awareness campaigns have had a positive impact on the NGO Smile. “There can be no true physical health without mental health,” said the World Health Organization’s first general secretary.
Monitoring the qualitative aspect of any situation can be difficult at times, especially when it comes to mental awareness. Because India is a diverse country with many cultures and languages, the problem is significant. Even after 68 years, there has been no improvement in this critical area, which is an alarming stage.
In India, mental health is still considered taboo. According to a 2016 survey conducted by the national mental health organization, 14% of India’s population required active treatment. According to the figures, approximately 200,000 people die each year, not including suicides.
Even before the Covid 19, the situation was deteriorating, but the Covid 19 exacerbated the situation and led to more serious mental illness. Many of us experience anxiety and stress. Many people have reported feelings of anxiety and depression. Or post-traumatic stress disorder. During this tough time, Smile India Trust came as Messiah to the poor people.
India is the fastest -growing economy and the second most populous country in the world. India has the most no. of youth in the country. In terms of the adolescent population.
Even India’s last president Ram NathKovindStated that India was “on the verge of a mental health epidemic.” According to one study, 14% of India’s population continued to suffer from mental illnesses during the same year, with 45.7 million suffering from depressive disorders and 49 million suffering from anxiety and depression.
NGO Smile Sharing Impact on Children’s Mental Health
The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated this national crisis, with statistics from all over the world, indicating that the Virus and associated lockdowns had a significant impact on the population, especially young people.
There is a huge increase in mental health problems. About 50% of the cases increased in 3 decades. Now 5 out of 30 children are suffering from mental illness. The Children saw the suffering and uncertainty that no child should have to witness. Isolation and anxiety resulted from being away from family, friends, classrooms, and play. Not only have children being subjected to an emotional tragedy, but many are also at a higher risk of neglect and abuse
According to the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative, the burden of disease in India caused by mental disorders rose from 2.5% in 1990 to 4.7% in 2017. It was also the major contribution to YLDs (years lived with disability), accounting for 14.5% of all YLDs in the country (India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative, 2017). Women were found to have a substantially higher risk of poor, mental illnesses, and eating disorders. The link between suicidal behaviors and death was also discovered to be stronger in women.
Depression, as well as a lack of access, affordability, and awareness, results in significant gaps in intervention. According to the 2015-16 National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), nearly 80% of those suffering from mental disorders did not receive treatment for more than a year. This survey also discovered significant treatment gaps in mental health care, ranging from 28% to 83% across depression.
Some Stats
The Mental Health care Act of 2017 includes several guidelines aimed at improving India’s mental health. The Mental Health care Act of 1987 is repealed by this Act, which was critiqued for failing to acknowledge the rights and agency of those suffering from mental illness.
In accordance with WHO recommendations, the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)2 in 1982 to provide mental health care as part of the overall healthcare system. Even though the scheme has been successful in generating community access to mental health care, resource limitations and a lack of infrastructure have limited its implications.
The state of mental health in India necessitates active campaign initiatives and service provision by the authorities. To reduce the stigma associated with mental health, we must take steps to educate and sensitise the community/society. This is only possible if we make a concerted national effort to inform the public about mental illnesses. We also need to take steps to connect patients with one another by attempting to form a peer network so that they can listen to and give assistance to one another.
NGO Smile Initiative for Mentally Challenged
The need of the hour is to educate the public regarding mental health and via initiatives such as the SwachMansiktaAbhiyan. This will enable them to address mental health issues in a timely and effective manner and continue living a stress-free life. The movement will also inspire people to communicate about their mental health and, if necessary, seek help from a therapist or psychologist.
Our NGO Smile always works for the mentally challenged who are not able to get proper help. They left alone by society and their parents as well. We work with a holistic approach toward children.
While the administration has taken initial steps in this direction, the problem must be addressed on a war footing. We require a steady flow of funds to educate and raise awareness of mental health and the chronic issues that surround it.
We provide them with proper nutritious food and medical treatment from our side. They are the future of India and need nothing but just love and care for them. NGO Smile through certain activities to tackle this issue
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Take care of Yourself
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Be confident
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Teach them Stress management
We all should understand that mental health is very crucial at every stage of life. Everyone should take care of their mental health. NGO smile will definitely love to contribute to this worthy cause.
Furthermore, people suffering from mental illnesses must have the same access to reliable and safe care as those suffering from physical illnesses. Furthermore, mental illness is from the same perspective as they do physical condition.
For any kind of guidance or support, you can write us at [email protected]. Visit our website to understand our work in detail. Click on https://smileindiatrust.org/ to know more about us. Follow us on various social media platforms. We are available on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter