Mental health multiplies in Covid time
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 09 2021: The number of mental problems or disorders has increased about 5 times in the Covid period as compared to the pre-Covid times.

Dr S Manikanta, president, Indian Psychiatric Society, Manipur State Branch (IPS Manipur) made the remark at a press conference held today at Indian Medical Association (IMA) hall at Lamphelpat in connection with the World Mental Health Day and World Mental Week.

Speaking to the media, Dr S Manikanta said mental disorders or problems have been there since the beginning of human civilization, but mental health was given very little importance earlier.

However, with changing times and getting a better understanding of the importance of mental health in the overall well being of a person, developed countries have already started giving utmost importance to mental health at various levels.

The Government of India, albeit late in the scene, has also made various laws and regulations in connection with the mental wellbeing of its citizens.

Manikanta informed that about 1 billion people worldwide are considered to be suffering from mental health problems in one form or the other while the situation is also critical in the country with an estimated 14% of Indian population suffering from mental problems or disorders.

Mental disorder has also resulted in one person committing suicide every 40 seconds worldwide which works out to about 2160 people committing suicide everyday.

In addition to this, an additional 30 million people die every year due to mental illness resulting from drugs, alcohol or substance abuse, he added.

Similar problems are also being faced by the State and the real issue here is how the State is handling the issues related to mental health in light of the ever increasing number of problems in post-Covid period, he added.

India has about 9000 Psychiatrists, 2000 Psychiatric nursing personnel, 1000 Clinical Psychologists and Manipur has just 25-30 Psychiatrists.

This number leaves 1.40 lakh mental disorder patients for every one Psychiatrist in the country, and the situation in Manipur is no better, he maintained.

Manikanta said that under the Mental Health Care Act, 2017 all mental patients should be treated for free and it is also mandated that if a 50 bedded hospital is established, one Psychiatrist should be there, but these rules are often ignored.

The State has been unable to establish a dedicated mental hospital till now.

'There is no health without mental health', he said.

Speaking at the press conference, Dr S Gojendro, secretary, IPS Manipur, said October 10 has been celebrated as World Mental Health Day since 1992 and IPS Manipur will celebrate the same at Sapermeina on the theme 'Mental Health in Unequal World'.

Discussion cum awareness programme on understanding mental health will be the main part of the celebration tomorrow, he added.

Dr S Gojendro said that mental problems or disorders are treatable with early intervention and added that families should not abandon their loved ones just because they are suffering from mental disorders.

Dr K Shantibala Devi, vice president, IPS Manipur informed the media that as per a study conducted in 2015, Manipur had 3 lakh people suffering from depression and 2 lakh from anxiety while mental disorder resulting from drugs, alcohol and substance abuse was at 23% of the population.

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