Meghalaya: Mental disorders greatest among young people, says expert

Shillong, Oct 31, 2017: Prevalence of mental disorders is greatest among younger people aged 16-24 years than at any other stage of the lifespan, said Head of Department, Department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Dr Kasi Sehkar here today.

Delivering his keynote address at the National Seminar, on the theme "Mental Health: Initiate for Action" organised by the Department of Social Work, Martin Luther Christian University, Dr Sehkhar said also said that they are common in childhood and adolescence with 14% of those aged between 4 and 17 years affected.

He also said that rates of depression and anxiety among teenagers have increased by 70 per cent in the past 25 years even as he said that the number of children and young people turning up with a psychiatric condition has more than doubled since 2009.

He also pointed out that in a 2016 survey for parent zone, 93 per cent of teachers reported seeing increased rates of mental illness among children and teenagers and 90 per cent thought the issues were getting more severe.

Dr Sehkar also said that social media doesn't create bullying or anxieties about body image.

But technology can amplify problems or give them new forms of expression even as he stated that cyber-bullying can be particularly painful.

"The trouble with seeing social media as the problem is that it's the technology that then gets addressed rather than the underlying issues," Dr Sehkar added.

Dr Sehkar also added that social media can also provide support for young people, especially for those struggling with their sexuality (44 per cent of 16-24 year-old LGBT people have considered suicide) or feeling isolated.

Meanwhile, Dr Sandi Syiem, Director Sanker said that mental health interferes with children's growth, development, education and day to day social interactions.

During his presentation on the Situational Analysis of the local scenario in Meghalaya Dr Syiem, informed that the National Mental Health Survery translates to 30,000 people needing urgent specialized mental health care in the state with the availability of only two Hospitals dealing with Mental Health issues and these two together proving only a total of 200 beds.

Dr Syiem further added that there is a urgent need of qualified psychiatrists in the state with only 3 psychiatrists in Shillong, 3 in 3 other district headquarters and 3 in NEIGRIHMS while another 10 are serving in 10 in private hospitals.

"Their vulnerability is greater due to several factors within and outside home. Early recognition and intervention lead to favourable outcomes," Dr Syiem said.

He also said that mental disorders contribute to greater morbidity in the productive population. The prevalence of all disorders peak in this age group affecting work, productivity and earning potential, and quality of life.

Dr Syiem also stated that advocacy for mental health with the active engagement of the media through positive portrayal. "Stress should be on recovery, creating opportunities and rights issues," he added.

Dr Syiem also warned that if untreated or inadequately treated mental illness detracts from productivity and development even as he urged that mental health has to be given recognition for this importance to development.

"Investing in mental health care now will help prevent high economic, social, and treatment costs in the long-run that can result from inadequate mental health care," Dr Syiem added.

Moreover, as per the -Indian National Mental Health Survey 2015 -16 has revealed that 1 in 20 people in India suffer from depression and nearly 1% of the population has been reported at a high suicidal risk, and furthermore there is an even low alarming ratio of professional help to patients with only one psychiatrist available to serve per 200,000 of the population of the country.

The inaugural function of the National seminar was held today October 31, 2017 and was inaugurated by the Governor of the State Ganga Prasad.

Speaking at the Inauguration, the Governor, Prasad stated that almost every state in our country is grappling with the issue of Mental Health and the stigma, discrimination that has been associated with it for centuries and hence a lot of hard work and dedication will be required to provide better health care and infrastructure for those suffering from the different forms of Mental Health and also to create opportunities for our youth to get training in dealing with Mental Health issues.

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