Mental Health Challenges in India: A Growing Concern
Mental health challenges in India have become a crucial problem in recent years, with both youngsters and adults facing major hurdles. This has resulted from the fast pace of life, increased competition, upward pressure, and technology in general. There are many reasons, such as rising stress and anxiety levels, the rapid growth of technology, changing population structures, increasing awareness, and the development of health issues on a global scale, that have turned mental health challenges into a global problem. Such rising levels of mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, and stress, point to an increased need for greater focus and awareness toward the provision of mental health challenges services across the globe.
How are Students being impacted by Stress?
Among many groups of people, students are more likely to develop mental health-related challenges. Moving to a new place, pursuing studies, dealing with the cost of education, and coping with other people can all contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, the growing use of social media can worsen such problems by inducing negative self-comparisons or cyberbullying incidents.
According to a 2019 survey – conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 15% of India's youngsters reported depression. Furthermore, 2018 research in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry reported that 20% of college students in India have considered suicide.
Workplace Stress and Mental Health Challenges
Mental health challenges also plague adults in the workforce. Work-related stress, burnout, and anxiety can all stem from long working hours, job insecurity, an undesirable work culture, and a lack of work-life balance, among others. In addition, instant access to work through a smartphone or the possibility of working from home can lead to work encroaching on leisure activities, which may cause fatigue and a sense of being overwhelmed.
As per the study done by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans), Bangalore, it has been found that 28% of employees in India suffer from excessive stress. Additionally, a survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the year 2019 stated that more than four out of ten Indian workers experienced burnout.
Modification of the "Concept of Mental Health" Over Time
The origins of the phrase “mental health” can be traced back to the work of the Austrian-American social psychologist, Jahoda Marie. As discussed in her major book “Current Concepts of Positive Mental Health,” published in 1958, she stated that mental health is more than concerns regarding the lack of mental disorders. Rather, it is to be understood as a favorable condition. Jahoda’s thoughts greatly aided in comprehending mental health and especially growth as something that exists separate from mental ill-health.
Though Jahoda gets credit for coining the term, it had been used in other instances even prior to her time, such as among psychiatrists and public health officials in the beginning years of the twentieth century. The development of the term can also be attributed to the changing times and the increase in the knowledge of psychology, public health, and psychiatry.
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Mental Health Challenges
The challenges faced in India concerning mental health have numerous and varied reasons as a factor behind the same:
●??????? Social stigma: Fears of stigma and discrimination often result in avoidance of seeking help regarding mental health issues.
●??????? Lack of awareness: Older stereotypes prevail in society and let people in India suffer from mental illness without knowing its signs and treatments.
●??????? Mental health services inadequacy: There is an inadequate number of mental health practitioners, especially in the Indian villages.
●??????? Poverty: The negative effects of stress and mental illness may also be caused by poverty and the fear of economic loss.
●??????? Cultural factors: Cultural beliefs have the potential to be detrimental to treatment by labeling mental illness as a defense mechanism.
More so, these factors, coupled with the persistent issues of poverty, inequality, and discrimination, have fueled a surge in the mental health crisis across the globe. A multifaceted strategy that calls for heightened awareness and accessibility to treatment while combating stigma is needed in dealing with this situation.
How to Overcome Mental Health Challenges?
As far as mental health is concerned, the critique is to be aware and to have a positive mindset. Awareness programs and global/national observances would suffice to let individuals be more cautious about mental health habits and practices. One such awareness program conducted at SRM Faculty of Science and Humanities (SRMFSH), SRMIST-KTR, has welcomed students to focus on the theme ‘Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace.’ On behalf of the global observance concerning mental health, the Department of Psychology held an event on October 10, 2024. This event had various competitions, including ‘Arshya 2024’ that brought students to work on their manuals and prototypes, depicting the human emotions and their workflow. However, the students have been awarded with their intellectual depiction of various models under the supervision of faculties at the Department of Psychology. Moreover, the students held an awareness rally that drove across the SRM Kattankulathur Campus even when it had been raining, where students carried placards with the importance of considering mental health, as a priority. Notably, the Dean of SRMFSH, Dr. A. Duraisamy; Deputy Dean of SRMFSH, Dr. S. Albert Antony Raj; Professor, Department of English, SRMFSH, Dr. K. Shantichitra; Professor & Head, Department of Psychology, SRMFSH, Dr. J. Senthil Kumaran, enlightening the awareness rally along with the students.
Conclusion
Therefore, protecting and preserving mental health is a multifaceted issue that transcends age and background. The rising incidence of mental health-related issues draws attention for greater emphasis. In response, everyone will tackle the determinants of mental health issues and the means of treatment that will be available to all societies. In this way, as many individuals will be able to contribute to society. Hence, mental health should be given equal priority concerned with individuals' challenges and to be governed with the help of a professional.