Minds in crisis

Mental health is the cornerstone of one’s overall well-being. It profoundly influences our thought processes as well as impacts how we perceive day to day experiences. When a human being takes birth, he is quite unaware about the rollercoaster of emotions he has been put on and that too without his consent. The importance of mental health is not age-specific, though young adults and adolescents are more likely to fall prey to mental health issues. A thriving mental health is an essential element for a healthy life, because it not only ensures well calculated decisions, it also improves one’s personal and public life in terms of maintaining relationships and socialising. Despite the significance of it, the topic, since its rise, remains shrouded in misunderstanding and stigma. It never gets an adequate platform to get discussed or its existence is often denied by society. Mental health is real.

Current statistics

The issues related to mental health are dangerous in nature and numerous in number. Inability to make decisions, excessive stress, depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies are some examples of mental health issues. A mental health patient can sometimes have more than one issue and at the same time, the issues can be an outcome of each other. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in four people will experience a mental or neurological disorder at some stage in their lives. 970 million people around the world struggle with some mental illness. 4.3% of deaths worldwide, or approximately 8 million deaths each year, are attributable to mental disorders. In a developing country like India, mental health is the most important topic that needs attention and awareness but sadly it is the most ignored aspect of health here. 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.

Reasons for poor mental health

Modern society imposes a variety of societal rules and regulations on individuals. The unrealistic standards and expectations that the modern society has set leads to individuals looking down upon themselves. The notion that a fair woman is a pretty woman or a tall guy is a handsome guy ends up making individuals insecure in their own body which ultimately pushes them towards depression. A lot of pressure stems from the patient’s own family. The ultimate rat race of good grades or the expected ideal behaviour, often leaves students feeling trapped in a cycle of performance rather than genuine learning and personal growth. Students often end up failing academically and enter the vicious cycle of feeling that they are not good enough. Economic conditions like unemployment, financial loss, pay cut, bankruptcy, etc. can also be the reason for one’s poor mental health. The inability of a person to provide for oneself or one’s family, mixed with uncertainty of the future, can lead to anxiety, stress and depression.

For a person to lead a normal life, socialisation and deriving emotional support from social connections is an essential requirement. Despite advancements in modern technology and communication, individuals feel social isolation and loneliness. The lack of emotional support in one’s life can lead to increased suicidal tendency. The breaking down of traditional structure of socialisation which was through face to face interaction and the introduction of new forms of communication through technology has isolated people and taken away genuine connection that they yearn for. A sudden traumatic experience or event in one’s life completely changes the dynamics of his life as well as his relationships and how he perceives them. Exposure to traumatic events such as violence, abuse, natural disasters, or significant life changes can have enduring effects on mental health. Trauma survivors are at increased risk of developing conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

Substance abuse and mental health issues are often an outcome of each other. A chronic alcoholic or a drug addict can eventually develop anxiety, paranoia or hallucinations. On the other hand, a person with depression or any other mental issue can depend on alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism. New-age technology and social media is one of the central reasons for depression in teenagers and young adults. The content on social media is not adequately censored which exposes kids to information and images which distort their sense of right and wrong, which ultimately creates obstacles in their adult life. Phone addiction is also chronic in kids in today’s generation which ends up making them lazy and depressed. Cyberbullying, a punishable offence, poses a threat to the vulnerability of teenagers and pushes the young ones to life long depression and anxiety.

Barriers to Mental Health Care

Stigma surrounding mental health is detrimental to the lives of millions of people around the world who battle with these issues. Lack of awareness about mental health results in the complete denial of the existence of such issues. Moreover, mental health issues are often confused with mental disorders, which are two completely different things. The latter is more complex and needs help from a psychiatrist. Misconceptions discourage individuals from seeking help due to fear of judgement or social repercussions. People who want to seek help for depression or are already seeking it are labelled as insane or crazy. The individuals who never find courage to seek help, often take their own lives.

The cost of mental health care, including therapy sessions, medications, and hospitalizations, can be prohibitive for individuals without adequate insurance coverage or financial resources. As a result, populations from the economically weaker society find it hard to seek help for their mental health issues.

Imagine living in a small town where the nearest mental health clinic is hours away. For many people, especially in rural or backward areas, finding a mental health professional can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Even in urban settings, the demand often far outstrips the supply, making it challenging to get timely appointments. This lack of access means that many people who need help simply can’t get it, leading to untreated mental health issues that can worsen over time.

Future Plan of Action

A lot of steps that are being taken in terms of reducing stigma around mental health and increasing access to proper mental health care should be accelerated. Easy and effective access to mental health professionals and clinics must be a priority, even in the remotest of areas.

The number of working professionals in the mental health sector should be increased in order to ensure that help is available and accessible to everyone at all times. This includes psychiatrists, psychologists, counselling, as well as other staff. Incentives should be provided to the professionals in the remote areas for efficient work. More and more clinics should be set up, exclusively for mental health care.

Addressing the stigma associated with mental health is equally vital. We can achieve this through widespread education and awareness campaigns in schools, workplaces, and communities. By normalizing conversations about mental health and educating people about different conditions and treatments, we can reduce fear and misunderstanding. Encouraging individuals with lived experiences to share their stories can also play a pivotal role in breaking down stereotypes and fostering empathy. People who need or seek help for their mental health issues are not crazy. They are just human beings that need our care. They are finding courage to talk about their mental health and if reciprocated with more hostility, will die under the weight of their issues. That is why it is important to provide a healthy environment to a mental health patient.

 Mohammad Saqib BA LLB 2nd year Lloyd Law School Noida.