About 1 in 4 adults in India suffers from a mental health disorder. Over 90 million Indians from a total population of 1 billion are currently suffering from a mental illness. Are these just well-stated rumours? No, it is a reality/fact of mental health in current times. Likely, was the condition in earlier years, just that time awareness was less among the people. To make amends and make people aware of mental health and disorders in India and the world, World Health Organization earmarked 10th October as a MENTAL HEALTH DAY EVERY YEAR. This day empowers the people living with mental illness, provides strength to people to come out and accept their struggles and disorders. The World Health Organization reserved this day as MENTAL HEALTH Day to garner support from people, various communities, and organizations and provide community care to people with multiple psychological conditions.
“You are overthinking“, “It’s not okay to be not okay“, “You are making it such a big thing“, “Depression is nothing, it is just in your brain“, “My kid is not pagal, he just does not want to study“, “It is nothing as a mental illness, go shower and dress up, you will be fine“. These statements sound so strange and bizarre, but in some families, communities, these statements are widespread. People having various mental illnesses have always been treated as outcasts in society, and it is a surprise, but they are still not accepted in the 21st century.
Keeping these statements and situations in mind, as mentioned above, World Health Organization and World Federation for Mental Health celebrate 10 October 1992 as mental health day. It is the day to celebrate the coping abilities, strength and resiliency of people having mental illnesses and empowering them. People celebrate this day with a new theme every year, and anyone can contribute irrespective of their caste, gender, class, condition or background. It is a delightful day to celebrate in a year. This day has an immense history behind it, which unfolds gradually year by year.
Mental Health Day was first an initiative taken up by Deputy Secretary-General Richard Hunter. And, from that day, it is still commemorated as the world’s mental health day. But, in the initial years of this initiative, there was no theme for the day until 1994. The main aim was to promote mental health awareness and educate citizens about various psychological issues. On this day, People celebrate mental health and provide collective and community support to others having mental illnesses. In 1994, a new theme came up to celebrate this day and value mental health. The first most themes presented this year was “Improving the quality of mental health services throughout the world“. This year, people celebrated this theme through campaigns and different rallies, making this theme a ritual for the whole world. Now, every year on this day, a new theme is selected and celebrated among people and empower them. The theme for 2020 world mental health was Move for Mental Health: Increased Investment in Mental health. A significant milestone in mental health was done in 2018 when Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Jackie-Doyle Prince as the first suicide prevention minister. Along with this, this year, the first mental health summit was held up by the government.
As we know, mental health is not a new topic. It is always discussed by different people, communities, and other regions and countries but differently. People talk about mental health in everyday life, but many do not know the facts and reality of mental health disorder. This mental health day gave people a chance to learn more about mental health and bust all the myths they are keeping in their minds somewhere.
MYTH1- Mental Illnesses are rare.
FACT 1- No, it is not valid; instead, in reality, over 1 billion people have mental disorder globally and more than 90 million in India.
MYTH2- People with mental health disorders will never recover.
FACT2- Why? Mental health is just the same and essential as physical health is. If physical diseases can get cured and people live happily and freely afterwards, it likely is the case with mental health disorders.
MYTH3- People with mental illnesses cannot work.
FACT3- No, this is not true. People who suffer from mental health disorders have a sense of purpose and ambition in life and can work accurately depending upon their interests and abilities.
MYTH4- Mental health problems are a sign of weaknesses.
FACT4- No, instead, suffering and fighting with mental disorders is an excellent sign of strength in the individual.
MYTH5– There is no need for professional help; if feeling bad, talk to your family and friends.
FACT5- Yes, one should talk to their close ones when feeling vulnerable, but going to the therapist and seeking professional help depends on the person; if needed, the one should go.
MYTH6- Everyone has to take medications to deal with their mental disorder.
FACT6- No, like every person has their variations in chronic illnesses, likely is the case with mental health disorders. No patient is identical, and many do not require any medications.
There are other varied myths that this day and awareness drives/campaigns clear to the people and aware them about mental health and how to stand up for it and fight against mental illnesses and stigma. Individuals all over the world commemorate mental health day in different ways. People have their kind of way to empower themselves and others about their mental health. So, look into the things one can do to empower their mental strength on this day!
World Mental Health Day is a day known for envisioning/imagining a world where all people’s mental health is given priority, builds awareness about various psychological issues, stops the stigma, and celebrates those suffering from mental illnesses empower them.
On the day of world mental health (10 October), people every year try to celebrate this day as appropriately as they can. On Mental Health Day, people celebrate this day by indulging in various acts of kindness, such as helping needy people buy a coffee or carry their bags to spread positivity and happiness and stand united against any other struggle.
In various countries, especially in Delhi and Mumbai, multiple conferences and workshops are conducted physically and virtually (in 2020 due to the pandemic). These workshops allow all the individuals to come and learn about various psychological issues, mental disorders and the importance of mental health and varied fun activities. These workshops and conferences also empower disabled people and help them fight against their adversities and stigma.
On this day, people also spread awareness about mental health through participation in various awareness drives and campaigns (for instance, suicide prevention awareness campaign) and social media (by putting posts, videos, and images on their social media platforms about mental health disorders).
Other ways people celebrate this renowned world, MENTAL HEALTH DAY, are to donate to a mental health centre/ charity and share one’s own story about any mental health issues through blogs and various other social media platforms. Read and learn about mental health, indulging in numerous calming and mediation procedures and exercises and many different ways.
MENTAL HEALTH is not a joke, and it is as important as physical health is. As once said by Bill Clinton
“MENTAL ILLNESS IS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF, BUT STIGMA AND BIAS SHAME US ALL”
BY Ishika Khandelwal, Delhi
