Now Reading: Urgent Appeal for Compassion Towards Mental Health Challenges
1
-
01
Urgent Appeal for Compassion Towards Mental Health Challenges
rapid Summary:
- Dr. Shahir Shah, Superintendent of General Hospital, Ernakulam, emphasized the need for compassion and societal acceptance to support individuals with mental health issues during a World Suicide Prevention Day meeting organized by the District Mental Health program.
- Dr. Shah highlighted that behind every suicide there are approximately 20 attempted suicides, often unnoticed due to social stigma around mental health.
- City Police Commissioner putta Vimaladitya inaugurated the event at General Hospital, which included activities such as skits, flash mobs, signature campaigns, and live painting to spread awareness about suicide prevention.
- The World Health Organization reports over 7,20,000 annual deaths due to suicide globally; Kerala’s rate is notably higher at 28.5 suicides per 1 lakh population compared to India’s national average of 11.3 per lakh (2022 data).
- Young adults aged 18-30 accounted for 35% of suicides in Kerala last year; individuals aged between 30-45 accounted for another important bracket at 32%, as noted by experts during the meeting.
- Dr. Daya Pascal emphasized that suicides are fully preventable and argued for changing narratives around this issue from stigmatization toward openly addressing family impacts and broader societal consequences.
Indian Opinion Analysis:
The observations shared during Ernakulam’s World Suicide Prevention Day mark a critical call-to-action regarding India’s growing mental health challenges-specifically in Kerala where suicide rates significantly exceed national averages. Experts rightly emphasize compassion and systemic destigmatization in addressing thes issues but face barriers ingrained within cultural hesitation around discussing topics like mental health openly.
Kerala’s relatively affluent literacy levels juxtaposed against its high suicide rates underscore potential gaps in public awareness or infrastructure dedicated to addressing conditions linked with socio-economic stressors or isolation among vulnerable populations like young adults (18-45 years). Events like awareness campaigns may lay foundations for normalizing conversations around mental wellness while preventing escalation thru early intervention practices.
India should continue examining data-driven regional breakdowns of public-health phenomena-investing concurrently in actionable measures ranging from accessible psychiatric facilities at local levels to broad educational initiatives combatting stigma nationwide.
Read more:
Donations
Advertisement
Loading Next Post...
Popular Now
Scroll to Top
