Depression and anxiety cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion a year; Here’s what we can do about it.
As per the World Health Organisation, a recent study estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion annually. Almost a billion people worldwide suffer from at least one form of mental illness. The National Mental Health Survey of India (2015-2016) noted that about 83% of people do not get the help they need in India.
A significant number of people do not seek treatment. Many do not even know that mental disorders exist. Most pay a visit to a physician when they do not feel right. If lucky, they get sent to dedicated mental healthcare professionals. Some people do not even seek treatment because of the fear of being judged. But why most of us are not aware of or ignoring such a common phenomenon?
Mental illness can manifest in several forms. Every time I observe any conversation about mental health – be it online, in movies, or even by professional counselors, I often hear “mental disorders like depression and anxiety”. It is almost like they do not even know other mental disorders exist. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, psychosis, dissociative identity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders are also some of the many forms of mental disorders.
Patients are discouraged from seeking mental illness treatment because society considers it weak. Mental illness, to a significant extent, is treatable. It is like any other illness and is a disease. A person going through depression often builds prejudices within themselves. They blame themselves for their condition and do not feel worthy of good health. The below chart shows the attitude of Indian society towards mental illness.
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As a respondent to the survey by The Live Laugh Foundation attributed above pointed out in this YouTube video – “the word “psychiatrist” is the biggest taboo in our culture”. Another respondent points out that “if a person is referred to a psychiatrist, he starts thinking he’s mad or somewhat.”
Mental illness can affect anyone. Nobel Laureate John Nash, who made fundamental contributions to game theory, fought a lifelong battle with schizophrenia. The Oscar-winning movie A Beautiful Mind depicts his story. Celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain, who hosted culinary television programs, suffered from depression for years before he took his own life. 23 times Olympic gold winner in swimming, Michael Phelps thought he would never recover from depression and anxiety until he sought professional help.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a significant uptick in mental illness cases due to isolation and stress. In October 2021, a study in Lancet reported a 35% increase in mental health problems in India. To avoid physical contact, hospitals have started providing treatment online. On the positive side, people can access online sessions without soliciting any judgment.
Besides stigma, in India, patients do not seek professional help because of the cost. Consulting a psychiatrist or a therapy session from private hospitals can cost between ? 500 and ? 2,000. A person suffering from mild clinical depression requires at least three consultations with the psychiatrist and 10-15 sessions of therapy. It brings the total cost of treating a mild depression between a staggering ? 6,000 and ? 40,000.
Even if we do not take the stigma and cost of seeking professional help, India lacks the social infrastructure to treat mental disorders. As per the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, currently, the required number of psychiatrists is 9,000, whereas the need is 39,000.
We can help people suffering from mental illness by gently asking them to seek professional help. Besides medicines and therapy, assuring them that mental illness is not a weakness or a personality trait and talking about it can make a significant difference. Regular physical activity, mindful meditation, and gratitude journals have also proven to?be helpful. Being vocal among the masses can lower the stigma toward mental illness.