Importance of Psychological Well-Being in 2022
Identifying the symptoms when one suffers physically is easy, and receiving treatment for the same is no different. Sometimes, though, when we’re experiencing any mental illness, it’s nearly impossible to comprehend our situation, much less access to help. There is a lack of psychological well-being awareness among the people in the civilization that does not allow us to recognize the symptoms or the causes.
It has been far too long since mental health has been discussed openly, and putting its importance at the forefront needs to be a priority for the second half of this century. After COVID-19, the rise in mental health cases has reached the sky.
The pandemic has contributed substantially to increasing the psychological well-being issues in people, especially in youth ranging from the age of 18 to 35 years old. World Health Organization (WHO) has reported on 2nd March 2022 that since the onset of the pandemic, there has been an approximately 25% growth in mental health cases worldwide.
According to Mental Health Statistics 2020, 13% of the world’s population is affected by Mental Illness. The data provided by World Health Organization(WHO), one in four people in the globe suffers from some type of mental illness. Around two-thirds of the people suffering from mental illness never seek professional help.
Various studies have concluded that the pooled relative risks of mortality among people suffering from psychological well-being issues are expanding to a large number. It has been estimated that approximately around 7.8 million deaths each year, are attributed to mental disorders.
During the COVID-19 era, young people and women have been hit most by the psychological factors that resulted in the occurrence of mental illnesses such as Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Schizophrenia, Imposter Syndrome, Bulimia Anorexia, and Nervosa.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhamom Ghebreyesus, has issued the statement, he said that “The information we have now about the impact of COVID-19 on the worlds’ mental health is just the tip of the iceberg,” “This is a wake-up call to all countries to pay more attention to mental health and do a better job of supporting their populations’ mental health.”
How much does India spend on Psychological Well-Being?
Similar to the rest of the world, India has also seen a rise in psychological well-being cases since the dawn of the pandemic. In October 2021, a UNICEF survey has reported around 14% of 15 to 24 years old in India, or 1 in 7, revealed often feeling depressed or having little interest in doing things.”
National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) annual report in November 2021, showed suicides in India increased by a frightening 10% in 2020 during the pandemic, around 400 Indians died every day by suicide in 2020.
It has also been reported that more than 50-60% Indian population didn’t receive any kind of treatment related to mental health even before the pandemic because psychological well-being issues have always been described or perceived as taboo, and even if people gave it much thought, they would become ignorant of the topic.
Although during the COVID-19 lockdown in September 2020, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot launched a 24*7 toll-free mental health rehabilitation helpline ‘KIRAN’- (1800-599-0019). The helpline is available in 13 languages such as Tamil, English, Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Assamese, and many others.
The objective of the helpline that is developed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) is to provide the first line of counseling to the increasing cases of psychological well-being issues among people during the COVID-19 era.
It also proposes the mental health rehabilitation services such as distress management, early screening, first-aid, psychological crisis management, psychological support, and promoting positive-behavior and mental well-being. It also puts concern and focus on people with disabilities and refers people with severe psychological well-being cases to counselors.
Emphasizing the need for the treatment of psychological well-being, Probodh Sethi, joint secretary at the DEPwD said, “With the ongoing pandemic we are witnessing a rise in mental health problems. Our observations suggest that there is an acute shortage of mental health professionals in the country and to overcome this problem we are launching KIRAN as a dedicated helpline providing rehabilitation services for patients with mental illness.”
He also added that with the launch of this helpline, there is hope that people will be encouraged to seek help. He said, “Due to the stigma around it, mental health patients do not feel comfortable seeking help. Keeping this in mind the identities of people calling the helpline will be kept anonymous.”
On 1st February 2022, Finance Minister announced the Union Budget 2022, in which she also mentioned the budget of Rs.71,269 crore for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In this, a total of Rs.597 crore has been included for mental health welfare.
She had also announced that “The Pandemic has accentuated mental health problems in people of all ages. To better access to quality mental health counseling and care services, a National Tele Mental Health program will be launched.”
The Finance Minister further explained that a total of 23 tele-mental health centers are intended to be launched soon with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) as the nodal center and the International Institute of Information Technology, Bengaluru will provide the technical support.
Concern for Children’s Mental Health in India
In addition to affecting adults’ psychological well-being, COVID-19 has also affected children. In one of the studies done on mental health by the World Health Organization, it has been found that at least 1 in 4 children in India, aged from 13 to 15 years old suffer from depression. The contributing factor is a complete shutdown of the outside world, the closing of school, not being able to meet with peers in person, and total isolation at home.
COVID-19 pandemic has limited them to the opportunities to explore, and all these factors combined have led them to feel anxious, have mood swings, depressive episodes, eating disorders, and schizophrenia.
In 2021, UNICEF warned the authorities to take stringent steps toward the improvement of children’s mental health. UNICEF India representative said, “Children in India have been through a challenging time living through risks and restrictions posed by the pandemic. Nothing could have prepared them for the onslaught of the second pandemic wave that hit India earlier this year. Children witnessed suffering and uncertainties that no child should have to see. Being away from family, friends, classrooms, and play caused isolation and anxiety. Children have not only been living an emotional tragedy, but many are also at higher risk of neglect and abuse.”
For the treatment of children suffering from psychological well-being issues, it is wise to supervise their behavior for the early and initial diagnosis of the illness, creating a safe and comfortable environment at both school and home, so that the children can speak their hearts out. To instill the habit of regular exercising and meditation that helps in conserving a safe and peaceful psychological environment.
edited and proofread by nikita sharma
