September 10th marks World Suicide Prevention Day, dedicated to raising awareness of mental health and working towards preventing one of its most tragic outcomes which is all too frequent. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one person dies by suicide every forty seconds worldwide. “Suicide is a global public health issue,” says the WHO …
World Suicide Prevention Day: What India needs to know Read More »
When we think about tuberculosis (TB), we think of deaths due to the condition itself or other diseases such as HIV. Yet there is another comorbidity which often goes overlooked: TB and mental illness. The recent death of a student by suicide has brought this condition to light. India struggles with mental health issues as …
Mental illness and TB: A comorbidity overlooked? Read More »
Some 150 million Indians live with some manner of mental health issue. Despite this significant burden, stigma against mental illness not only exists: it is common. One group plans on changing this attitude, one hug at a time. Launched in Mumbai in October 2017, the Hugging Club of India (HCI) provides sessions which offer …
Many people living with depression also face bowel difficulties such as constipation. A new study has identified a reason why: low serotonin. The link between the two conditions is serotonin, a neurotransmitter often called the “happy chemical” because of its importance to happiness and wellbeing owing to a range of complex cognitive functions it performs. …
Low serotonin could lead to constipation as well as depression Read More »
The Mental Health Care Act 2017 took the first steps in bridging the way for those suffering from mental illnesses to receive coverage under health insurance schemes. Despite this first step, many are asking whether progress is being made fast enough. The act made it mandatory for health insurance companies to provide insurance to mental …
Mental health insurance plans: still inadequate? Read More »
It is time for India to “wake up to invisible disabilities” says an article recently published by the World Economic Forum. Physical disabilities are often acknowledged in India, even if they are not always accommodated for. However, mental illness and conditions where there are no obvious physical symptoms are often ignored or, worse, stigmatised. …
India’s invisible disabilities, a situation unresolved Read More »
India is currently in the grip of an epidemic of mental illness. Vast swathes of the population suffer depression, anxiety and other conditions to varying degrees, affecting 13.7 percent of India’s population. Despite huge numbers of sufferers with poor mental health across the country, treatment for mental illness is hard to come by. This much …
Music therapy for depression, an ayurvedic approach to mental illness? Read More »
Around 150 million Indians are in need of mental healthcare. This is according to government data, which highlighted the significance mental disorders among the population at 10.6 percent. Depression alone affects 56 million people and anxiety disorders affecting 38 million. When experts convened for the third High-Level United Nations Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) last …
World Mental Health Day: How India is dealing with its silent crisis Read More »
Depression and other mental health conditions are reaching epidemic proportions in India. It is a situation worsened by the consistent lack of access to mental health services. Such is the country’s burden from mental illness that it was addressed by President Ram Nath Kovind in a speech delivered last year. President Kovind highlighted the lack …
President Ram Nath Kovind warns of a potential “mental health epidemic” in India, spotlighting an issue of great concern to public health. Mental health issues are often stigmatised in India, leading to many not seeking help. President Kovind stressed the need to increase access to mental health treatment facilities during a speech at the 22nd …
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