*Kounteya Sinha* *22 September 2011*
*NEW DELHI *: A national programme to combat trauma caused by disasters — like the flash floods in Leh or the recent earthquake in Sikkim — is now in the offing. The Union health ministry has sent a proposal to the Planning Commission for the creation of a National Programme on Disaster Response, to be rolled out in 2012. To be part of the 12th fiveyear plan, the programme will be part of the country's national programme for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and will help people who are victims of natural disasters, social violence and terrorism. Speaking to TOI, a senior health ministry official said, "We have envisaged creating a national programme for disaster response and emergency medical services as part of the country NCD programme. Trauma caused by such episodes aren't transmittable and hence can be called a NCD. We are waiting for the Planning Commission's approval." According to the official, social upheavals or the deep sense of loss caused by tsunami, nuclear disasters, earthquakes and terrorism can leave an indelible mark on a person's mind and "sink him in mental illnesses". A study published on Wednesday, which examined 30 investigations consisting of over 300,000 patients, discovered that depression is linked with a considerably increased risk of developing stroke and stroke-related death. Depression, researchers found, was linked with an increased risk of 45% for total stroke, a 55% increased risk for fatal stroke and a 25% increased risk for ischemic stroke. It could also make people suicidal. As many as 1.2 lakh people already end their lives every year in India by committing suicide. According to the World Health Organisation, over the past decade, the Asia Pacific Region witnessed several devastating disasters, both natural (1,440) and technological disasters (1,300). This accounted for nearly 50% of all disasters globally during the same time period. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-22/india/30188849_1_disasters-stroke-ncd -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
