More people die of depressions than HIV and AIDS
50% of Manipuris suffer from depression, higher in females
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 17 2011: Due to the law and order situation prevailing in the state and various other reasons 50% of the Manipuris in the state is suffering from depression.

The rate is higher in the case of females than the males, informed T Suraj, Psychiatrist, Manipur State Mental Health authority, Imphal West.

Speaking at the one day Mental Health Care Awareness programme organized by the Alzheimer and Related Disorder Society of India, Manipur Chapter under the sponsorship of Manipur State Mental Health Authority at the office of MNP+, Yaiskul, T Suraj said that depression cannot be cured only by prescribing medicines to the patient.

They need the support of the family, relatives and the society.

He further said that worldwide the rate of the spread of depression is 30 - 40 %.

But in Manipur the rate is 50 %.

The reason behind the high rate is due to the impact of the law and order situation on the minds of the people of the state.

There are even cases of government officials who get scared of mobile phone ringing.

Though the exact cause of depression or mental disorder is not known as yet, a person can suffer from depression or mental disorder after an accident, injuries to the head, when blood gets into the brain and so on.

He further went on to say that the number of people dying of suicide due to depression is far more than people dying of HIV and AIDS.

Mental disorder or depression can happen to anybody without even the person knowing that he is suffering from depression.

It is always advisable to consult a specialist at the right time.

Depression, obsessive disorder, anxiety and phobia are common mental disorders.

Psychiatrist, Kh Kumarjit and M Meghachandra, Senior Health Educator, Department of Communal Medicine also spoke on different topics as resource persons.

The function was also attended by RK Noyonsana, Chairperson, Manipur State Social Welfare Board, S Bimolakumari, CMO, Imphal West, USHA Khundrakpam, DFWO, Imphal East and Salam Udita, General Secretary, MNP+ as presidium members.

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