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NOWSHERA: In India, nearly 15% of adults require intervention for one or more mental health issues, and over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) have experienced a serious mental illness at some point in their lives.
In observance of "World Mental Health Day 2024," BMO Nowshera, Dr. Iqbal Malik, in collaboration with the Tehsil Legal Service Committee Nowshera, organized an event to raise awareness about mental illnesses. The event was conducted under the supervision of the Director of Health Services, Jammu, Dr. Rakesh Magotra, and the Chief Medical Officer, Rajouri, Dr. Manohar Rana.
During the event, Dr. Malik, who also holds the charge of the District Mental Health Programme Rajouri, delivered a PowerPoint presentation and interacted with ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, prominent citizens, PRI members, and NGOs. He provided a comprehensive lecture on mental disorders.
He highlighted that, according to the World Health Report of 2001, the prevalence of mental disorders in the adult population ranges from 10% to 15%, contributing to 20% of the economic burden in India. Statistics show that 1 in every 5 Indians is grappling with some form of mental disorder. Additionally, 25% of patients seeking primary healthcare exhibit one or more mental disorders, and 1 in 4 families has at least one member with a mental disorder at any given time.
Dr. Malik further stated that mental and neurological conditions account for 30.8% of all years lived with disability. Depression stands out as the leading cause of disability, comprising 12% of the total, and ranks as the fourth leading cause of disease burden globally. By 2020, it is projected to become the second leading cause of disease burden worldwide.
Advocate Haq Nawas Choudhary added that mentally ill individuals are often neglected due to supernatural beliefs, misconceptions, and stigma, resulting in 90% of patients not receiving the necessary medical help. He urged people to seek treatment for mental illness, emphasizing that it is a curable condition.