It is no surprise to anyone by this point that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in most – if not all – other health conditions have been neglected. Mental health issues are no exception. The findings of a recent World Health Organization (WHO) survey on the impact on mental healthcare underscore this. “The COVID-19 pandemic […]
mental health
Suicide prevention: Why it’s critical
The spectrum of mental health disorders is diverse, but what is uniform among them is that they are noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Suicide, tragically, is an outcome of a number of mental health disorders. This is why suicide prevention is so important. “The Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) Cluster is concerned with the rapid rise […]
Karnataka shows how COVID-19 has hit Indians’ mental health and wellbeing
Recent reports from Karnataka encapsulate how the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the state of Indians’ mental health and wellbeing. Reports indicate that the Karnataka state government has treated almost 8,000 people with medication for mental health issues connected to COVID-19 and conducted approximately 480,000 counselling sessions since May. Those counselled and/or treated for mental health […]
Suicide of AIIMS doctor noted by Harsh Vardhan
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan has paid tribute to a resident doctor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, following his death by suicide. “Shocked & distressed to hear of the painful death of young & most brilliant Dr Anurag Kumar, Junior Resident at AIIMS Delhi,” […]
Coronavirus takes its toll on India’s mental health
Mental health issues and suicide rates have seen a notable increase in India since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The Indian Psychiatry Society (IPS) said a recent study showed a twenty percent rise in mental health disorder cases, affecting at least one in five Indians. “The lockdown has had a massive impact on the […]
Childhood illness and mental health
Children who experience chronic health issues in early life are far more likely than their healthy counterparts to experience negative mental health effects throughout their adolescent years, claims a recent study. For India and its patchy track record for child health, this could have dire implications. The study, published in the journal Development and Psychopathology, […]
Autism in India: Why we need awareness
As April 2nd marks World Autism Awareness Day, there is a prime opportunity to talk about autism in India – a health issue that is too often overlooked. An estimated three million people live with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) on the Indian subcontinent according to a 2018 paper. That report notes that “there has been […]
Mental health conditions on the rise
A spike in reports of Indians being affected by mental health conditions has been reported amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a survey conducted by the Indian Psychiatry Society. In the week since a 21-day lockdown was declared by the Union Government, the number of people reporting mental health issues has increased by fifteen to […]
Mental health helpline amidst COVID-19
A mental health helpline is being launched to support Indians during the COVID-19 lockdown. Indians can avail a consultation by the helpline, which is reachable toll-free on 08046110007. Launched by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), based in Karnataka state capital Bengaluru, the mental health helpline will serve to address “mental and […]
Psychiatric hospitals: The Indians ‘illegally detained’
In 36 psychiatric hospitals across 24 states, thousands of Indians continue to stay even after reporting positive treatment outcomes according to a recent report published in The Times of India. This is what a petition filed before the Supreme Court by advocate Guarav Kumar Bansal alleges. “Holding [patients] indefinitely in the hospital amounts to illegal […]