11-Dec-2012
BANGALORE: Over 25 percent of the state's population suffers from major mental
health problems, shows a survey done by the newly formed Mental Health Task
Force (MHTF). "Out of the 25 percent who suffer from major mental or
psychological disorders, 75 pc don't get treated. The biggest of the
psychological problems that causes severe mental disorders is depression," said
Dr H Chandrashekar, secretary, Karnataka State Mental Health Authority.
The task force will focus on psycho-education as the first agenda apart from
implementing school mental health programmes, introduction of basic sex
education in high school, making mental health services available at doorsteps
in districts and improving manpower in this field of medicine.
Dr KA Ashok Pai, chairman of the task force, told reporters on Monday that the
lack of awareness and social stigma associated with identification and
treatment of mental health can be eradicated with psycho-education. "A man
diagnosed with a psychological problem could worsen his disease if he skips
even a single dosage of his medicines. But he does so or chooses to skip
dosages due to the social stigma that affects him even more," said Dr Pai.
At present there are only two government-run mental health hospitals in
Karnataka-one in Dharwad and Nimhans in Bangalore. There are psychiatry
departments in 36 medical colleges and 82 private psychiatry hospitals licensed
by the state government. MHTF is looking at having full-fledged mental health
centres, one in each district, with a battery of psychologists and nurses.
STATE'S BIG WORRIES People suffering from severe mental disorder-2% Minor
mental disorder 10-12% Depression-10-12% Substance use disorder-3% Childhood
problems-5% Suicide rate-9-11 per lakh population (avg for Karnataka per year)
Source: Mental Health Task Force
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/25-in-state-suffer-mental-problems/articleshow/17566107.cms?
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