Rapid Fire
World Mental Health Day 2024
- 15 Oct 2024
- 2 min read
On 10th October, World Mental Health Day (WMHD) 2024 was observed, bringing attention to the recent workplace suicides that highlight the significant impact of job-related stress on mental health, even among those who appear outwardly successful.
- Theme of WMHD 2024: Mental Health at Work.
- Background: WMHD was first initiated in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH).
- WMHD, organized by the WHO, aims to raise awareness, promote mental health education, and combat stigma, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being for individuals and communities
- Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviours.
- Statistics: The Economic Survey 2023-24 emphasizes the need to increase the number of mental health professionals and improve mental health services.
- According to the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16, 10.6% of Indian adults experienced mental disorders, with a treatment gap of 70% to 92% across various conditions.
- Government Initiatives:
- Policy Recommendations on Mental Health:
- Enhancing efforts to raise the number of psychiatrists from 0.75 to the WHO standard of 3 per lakh population.
- Sensitization of mental health at the preschool, Anganwadi level to provide precious early identification of disorders.
Read More: Mental Health Initiatives in India
