The age-old adage “health is wealth” has unfortunately been limited to physical health for too long. Needless to say,  mental health impacts all facets of our life—be it good or bad. Despite much progress, mental health remains shrouded in stigma in society, which stifles conversation and a much needed public dialogue and exploration into the mental wellbeing of a rapidly growing population.

A recent report estimated that 50 million Indians are suffering frommental health disorders, most of whom are either undiagnosed or not able to find the help they need. More specifically, a report in the Lancet recently suggested that by the year 2025, 38.1 million years of healthy​ ​

life in India will be lost to mental illness. 

Five of the ten leading causes of disability across the world are mental health problems. And these problems prevail across socio-economic boundaries, genders, ages and nationalities.

The capital complex was rocked by numerous suicides recently committed by youngsters still in school and college. As traumatic as it is for the family of the deceased, they also indicate at the growing problem of suicide among the youths in the state.

Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable. Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation, a suicidal person can't see any way of finding relief except through death. But despite their desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about ending their own lives. They wish there was an alternative to suicide, but they just can't see one.

The ‘feeling of worthlessness’ in today’s youth is heightened as the world is getting increasingly competitive. Parents and schools must work on making children mentally and psychologically strong enough to handle the pressure.

We as a society need to understand the importance of mental healthand treat mental health issues as we would treat a physical ailment. Not pushing mental conditions under the rug and rather facing them head on is the right approach.

There is also the need for setting up helpline and assistance programmes to build effective strategies and interventions for givingsupport, along with providing confidential counselling services. 

We have a long way to go, but we need to get going. Change is incremental and the first step is a collective recognition of the need for action. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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