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09 January,2023 | By Brainwonders
On October 10th of each year, we gather together to commemorate World Mental Health Day or WMHD. Mental illness has the ability to influence a person's mood and conduct. This is a health problem that affects people from all walks of life and can be found in any region and culture. Over 1 billion people worldwide are thought to be suffering from some form of mental illness.
World Mental Health Day was established on October 10, 1992, by the World Federation of Mental Health. They didn’t have a precise objective other than to advocate for mental health as a whole but this day started to raise awareness related to mental health and the stigma around the topic. Around 1995, an increase in worldwide events occurred, resulting in more conferences and community celebrations on the issue. Now, the increased understanding of different issues of mental health has become more frequent on a worldwide basis as new themes are included.
The theme of World Mental Health Day in 1994, was 'Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services Around the World.' Keeping the momentum going, World Federation For Mental Health (WFMH) board members all over the world planned events in honour of the day and its rising popularity among government departments, organisations, and citizens.
As time went on, more countries were involved, and as a result, citizens were more involved, as mental health became more linked with human rights.
For this time on World Mental Health Day 2023, the theme is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’.
On World Mental Health Day 2023, let us take a look at mental health aspects.
According to the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) from 2015-16, approximately 80% of persons with mental disorders did not receive treatment for more than a year.
On the occasion of Mental Health Day 2023, let us see how India is handling mental health.
Despite being the world's fifth-largest economy, India has only spent 0.05 per cent of its yearly health budget on mental health in recent years, far less than the average spending of low-income countries, which is around 0.5 per cent of their healthcare budgets.
In 2018, India's healthcare budget was 528 billion rupees (about $7 billion), with mental health receiving 500 million rupees (nearly $6.6 million), which was lowered to 400 million rupees (roughly $5.7 million) the following year. India, on the other hand, spends barely 50 million rupees (approximately $650,000) each year on mental health.
Although mental health is rarely mentioned in the election manifestos of any political party in India, it is a fundamental right provided by the constitution to provide excellent health to its citizens. The Supreme Court has interpreted the "Right to Life" as not simply the act of breathing or existing, but also the quality of life and human dignity.
On Mental Health Day 2023, let us see what can be done to improve?
The need of the hour is to raise awareness and educate people about the signs and symptoms of mental illness, as well as to normalise the idea of getting help for oneself or a loved one.
More open conversation and dialogue with the general population, rather than just professionals, is needed on this topic, which will assist to establish a more inclusive atmosphere for those with mental illness.
On this World Mental Health Day 2023 or WMHD 2023, we urge you to reach out to help those who need the help and ask for help when in need without hesitation.
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