Podcast link:
2.32 Psyche & Soul # 71
https://anchor.fm/boscom/episodes/2-32-Psyche--Soul--71-epvtoa
The last few podcasts have been on mental health and
wellbeing. This weekend I shall focus on the burden of mental illness, that is
prevalence of mental illness globally and especially in India.
THE BURDEN OF MENTAL ILLNESS
Mental illness is a reality in the lives of many
people and is on the increase. There has been a 13% rise in mental health conditions and
substance use disorders between 1997 and 2017. Latest pre-Covid data
available (The Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2017, a
massive collaborative work of World Health Organization, World Bank and Harvard
University) showed that globally 970 million people
(10.7 percent, that is a little more than 1 in 10 people) worldwide had a mental health or substance
abuse disorder in 2017. Of the population affected by mental illness Anxiety is the most
common mental disorder, affecting 284 million people worldwide. Next is
depression affects 264 million people. Schizophrenia affects 20 million people.
Around
20% of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental health condition. Globally, mental illness affects more females (11.9%)
than males (9.3%). The mortality rate of those with mental disorders is
significantly higher than that of the general population. It is estimated
mental disorders are attributable to 14.3% of deaths worldwide, or
approximately 8 million deaths each year. One emerging reality that is
of some concern is that more and more young people are reporting mental
illness.
The Indian Situation
According to the GBD
Study cited above, a little more than one in seven Indians (7.5 per or about
197.3 million) suffer from some mental disorder, ranging from mild to severe. The study had
predicted that by end of 2020 roughly 20 per cent of Indians will suffer from
mental illnesses.
Suicide
There was also a
significant, but modest correlation between the prevalence of depressive
disorders and suicide. India accounts for 36.6 per cent of suicides globally. Indian women have double the global rate for
death by suicide of women. Latest
(2020) data released by the National Crime Record Bureau had shown that India
reported an average 381 deaths by suicide daily in 2019. As many as 1,39,123 people died by suicide in India
in 2019, marking a 3.4 per cent increase compared to 2018. Notably, over 90,000
of the people who died by suicide in 2019 were aged between 18 and 45.
Shortage
of Mental Health Workers
A
WHO Report (2018) had stated that the mental health workforce in India is not
up to the mark and there is a huge shortage of psychiatrists and psychologists
in the country as compared to the number of people suffering from mental health
issues. WHO states that in India, per 100,000 population, there are only 0.20 psychiatrists, 0.07 psychologists, and
0.36 other mental health workers available. This means many needing
psychological and psychiatric help would be deprived of it.
Increase through Corona Pandemic
The situation has been exasperated by Covid-19. An American Psychological Association
survey, conducted between Aug. 28 and Oct. 5, 2020, found that
nearly 3 in 10 psychologists (29%) said they are seeing more patients overall
since the start of the pandemic. Of psychologists who provide treatment for
anxiety disorders, nearly three-quarters (74%) reported an increase in demand
for such treatment, and 60% of those providing treatment for depressive
disorders saw an increase. The enforced home isolation has led to increased
stress and anxiety in families. In some studies up to one third of families
have reported feeling very or extremely anxious. A growing body of research is raising concerns about
the impact of loneliness during the pandemic.
Increasing demands of
meeting patient needs are affecting mental health providers too. In the
American Psychological Association survey mentioned above, more than four in 10
psychologists (41%) said that they felt burned out, and 30% said that they have
not been able to meet the demand for treatment from their patients.
Unlike physical
disorders which can be verified by objective criteria and test, as is the case
with Covid-19, most mental health disorders cannot be tracked with a test or
tangible sign. Hence there would be a large group of silent sufferers, whose
illness would go unnoticed.
Mental
health experts warn that the impact of Covid-19 on mental health would be felt
for years after the virus has been brought under control. Dr. Adrian James,
president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, for example, warns that
Covid-19 “is going to have a profound effect on mental
health. It is probably the biggest hit to mental health since the second world
war. It doesn’t stop when the virus is under control and there are few people
in hospital… [there are] long-term consequences.”
What is your reaction and response to the data on
mental illness presented on this podcast? What does it evoke in in you?
-----
Jesus of Nazareth was
concerned about eliminating suffering from human lives. During his life ion
Palestine he encountered many who were suffering from all sorts of mental
illness. He showed great compassion for them of their afflictions.
May be we can recall
one of his healing encounters with the ill and rest for while in his company in
that scene with our heart and mind. We could then bring before him all those
who suffer from mental illness, especially those we know, praying for their
healing, or begin a fantasy journey of healing with him.
Have pleasant
weekend. Be safe. Be blessed.
Thank you for listening/reading.
Pictures: courtesy Google Images
Jose Parappully SDB, PHD
sumedhacentre@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment