Biggest obstacle to fight mental health problems is Stigma: President Kovind in World Congress of mental health

NewsBharati    02-Nov-2017
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New Delhi, November 2: With the progress of technology, human life has become more complex and stressful. Against this backdrop, problems related to mental health are more emerging. For the first time, World Congress of Mental Health is being held in India. On Thursday President of India Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the 21st World Congress of Mental Health.

National Mental Health Survey 2016 found that close to 14 percent of India’s population required active mental health interventions. As urban life is faster and lifestyle is more complicated, those living in metropolitan cities and those who are young – whether in the productive age group or children and teenagers – are most vulnerable to mental illnesses. Hence if immediate actions are not taken then we may face a mental health epidemic.

Speaking on this occasion, the President highlighted some important facts. The biggest obstacle that mental health patients have to encounter is stigma and denial. Talking about mental health issues and treating ailments such as depression and stress as curable diseases are important.

Yoga plays a very important role in mental health problems. Hence the World Congress will have sessions on yoga, meditation and traditional approaches to mental health. He also mentioned that India’s National Mental Health Programme is building 22 centres of excellence in the field of mental health. In parallel, the District Mental Health Programme has already covered 517 of the approximately 650 districts in India. It is taking the conversation about mental health to the grassroots of our society.


Health Mental Health World Mental Health Congress Ram Nath Kovind