By- Avantika Singh
Innovation in Mental Health Advocacy
“Mental Health”, as crucial as it has become in today’s time, it not only carries the burden of stigmas but also denied a seat in our fundamental rights. Despite the fact that Indian laws have acknowledged the value of mental healthcare since 1987, the nation has denounced its importance for a long period. People are not even aware of the laws, their rights, or the appropriate channels to use for assistance of any type, even if the issue gets acknowledged and help needed. Currently, the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 is the main legislation controlling mental healthcare in the nation. However, Mental health comes under the spectrum which reflects the emphasis given to it.
We can’t deny the fact how a healthy society creates healthier ecosystem for the younger generation, in absence of a robust mechanism which can support the individuals of the society, not only we will be contributing in the chaos but will also be unfair to the coming generation. Therefore, it’s essential that we hold accountability in establishing a trustworthy mechanism which could create a stronger tomorrow.
With so many external influences such as pandemic, technology, war, inflation, recession, etc., things are not going to get easy for current or future generation, especially for teenagers who are struggling with identity crisis and identity uncertainty by virtue of their life stage. The start of puberty and the various social and physical changes bring about causes the teenager to become fascinated with the issue of identity.
{As per Erikson’s philosophy which is centred around the ideas of identity, identity crisis, and identity uncertainty, the theory refers identity as a sense of consistency and continuity “in the inner core of the individual” that is preserved despite exterior change.}
However. as a school counsellor, the first thing I observe in my daily practice is high incidences of low selfesteem, anxiety, social fear, escapism and inability to have healthier personal and inter personal interaction, the preference is given to social media interaction over one to one.
So, how can we establish an efficient mechanism which actually works?
Mental and emotional health have been a major component of peoples’ lives since the Covidian crisis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.” According to this definition, mental and physical health are on an even playing field, highlighting the fact that mental health is a basic human right rather than an extra superfluous red tape. Innovative methods of mental health advocacy are now possible, thanks to this paradigm shift that the world is now witnessing.
Community based programs by Adolescents : – Reaching out and caring for another person may be rewarding on a personal level, even if it is not always simple. Our youth are inquisitive, engaged, and creative. They enjoy being a part of the solution because they feel ownership over it. They take ownership of the priorities set in response to what they have to say, which eventually improves their sense of self. They will grow more during the weaving process, realize they are not alone, and work to overcome their social awkwardness and denial of the outside world while engaging local communities in open discussions about mental health. This fosters understanding and support through peer support groups, awareness campaigns, and educational workshops.
Creating Digital Mental Health Platforms:- Access to mental health care is now easier than ever, thanks to mobile apps, online counseling platforms, and tele-counseling programs. In our published research paper, ‘Correlates of Internet Addiction in Adolescents,’ we found that continuous use of the Internet makes young people more dependent on it, resulting in social withdrawal. However, to no one’s surprise, the potential and power of the internet can’t be ignored; it could also be utilized to counteract its own negative impact. For example, the wider reach of internet can help in over ruling geographic restrictions and its higher exposure can help with easier penetration of key messages.
Increasing the awareness of Government Policies and its benefits :- It is crucial to address mental health issues and give everyone in India access to mental health therapies that are both inexpensive and readily available. Unknown to most people, Indian government programs for mental disorders are as follows:-
- National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)- This was established in 1982 with the goal of giving everyone access to mental health care. A number of activities are carried out under the NMHP, including the establishment of mental health clinics, mental health training for health professionals and communitybased mental health programs. The program also provides free medication to people with mental health problems who cannot afford it.
- District Mental Health Programme (DMHP)- In order to provide district-level mental health treatments, it was established in 1996. The program focuses on integrating mental health services into primary health care with the goal of increasing the availability of mental health services in rural and remote areas.
- National institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS)- It was founded in 1925 and is a renowned mental health facility in India. The institute is focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and study of neurological and mental health diseases.
- Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya karykram (RKSK) –It is a nationwide initiative that was started in 2014 with the goal of enhancing the health and happiness of teenagers in India.
- Ayushman Bharat- Health and wellness centres (AB_HWC) – It is a key initiative of the Indian government that was started in 2018 with the goal of giving everyone access to full primary healthcare services.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan – It is a self-reliance initiative that was just launched in 2020 with the goal of fostering India’s economic growth and development. The program also emphasizes how the COVID-19 epidemic has affected people’s mental health.
Conclusion:
It is evident that progress is being made as community efforts, technology platforms, and legal changes continue to redefine the environment of mental health assistance. Yet there are still issues, such as the need for more worldwide awareness and financing for mental health care. Around 150 million Indians have mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and drug addiction, according to the National Mental Health Survey (2015–2016). Only one psychiatrist is employed in India for every 100,000 residents, and less than 1% of the country’s health care budget is set aside for mental health.
To guarantee that mental health is not just a lofty goal but a reality for everyone, it is crucial that people, communities, and governments all around the world continue to collaborate. We can create a more welcoming and caring society where everyone has the chance to succeed by recognizing mental health as a fundamental human right.
References:
Sandock, B. and Sandock,V.A. 2015. Kaplan and Sandock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioural Sciences/ Clinical Psychiatry. (11th ed.)
National Council of Educational Research and Training. 2009. Special concerns in counselling: A training package. Peer counselling .New Delhi.
Jain, R. Singh, A. Yadav, P. and Mohanty, S (2023) ‘Correlates of internet addiction in adolescent’, Global journal for research analysis, vol-12, no.08-August-2023.
Weblinks:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response