Has our outlook towards mental health changed for the better or worse?

Are you mental? - how easily do we throw this around... And the answer is yes. And the next question "Who isn't?" Yet, those actually in the throes of a mental illness aren't looked at very favourably, as opposed to all the sympathy, bouquets and 'get well soons' someone down with a physical illness gets.

Illustration/Ravi Jadhav

With more and more celebrities coming out in the open about battling depression, anxiety or any other disease of the mind, there's better hope on the horizon of increased acceptance and less stigma. But without more awareness and understanding of what happens in the brain of a mentally ill person, it's doubtful if patients will feel comfortable speaking their mind.

A word from the healers

Dr Harish Shetty, psychiatrist, Lilavati hospital
'I think the stigma has faded off to an extent; people are coming forward to talk about their mental health issues. In fact, there has been a 500 per cent rise in awareness. However, there's also been nearly a 1,000 per cent in cases of mental illness in the present day. While the health-care set-up to tackle this needs strengthening, it's important that people stay open about this and ask for help'

Dr Avinash De Sousa, consulting psychiatrist
'A lot is being done to tackle mental health issues. Earlier, a mere visit to a psychiatrist would get you branded as crazy. Now, that's not the case; the youth is more aware and accepting of this than others. Even schools are hiring in-house psychiatrists to counsel students, parents and even teachers. Also, online consultation is gaining huge momentum with rising use of social media, connecting rural patients with doctors in the city through video-conferencing'

Dr Sagar Mundada, psychiatrist, KEM hospital
'The omnipresence of social media has increased forms of mental illness. Nowadays, we have apps for everything; so, instead of using our grey matter, we are dependent on technology, which is affecting our memory as well as personal development. This is giving rise to new illnesses - digital amnesia, Facebook depression, social media rage and Internet addiction. But the good news is awareness has increased, so much so that even rural folk are seeking help immediately'

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Current status

>> The Centre wants people's comments and opinions on the draft rules and regulations of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, which decriminalises attempt to suicide and empowers citizens to choose the mode of treatment. The last date is October 20.

>> Government Mental Hospital in Ahmedabad held a conference last month, where 100 medical practitioners discussed geriatric mental health issues. Experts stressed on the need to create a cadre of mental health experts and caretakers in private and government set-ups.

>> Nearly 600 mental health professionals from across India gathered at Chandigarh' PGIMER last month to discuss psychiatric wellness among the elderly.

>> Start-ups in Bengaluru are taking to AI and modern tech means to keep a keen eye on the mental health of Indians.

When stars shone through

'I hope fellow sufferers know it is completely controllable. I hope I can help remove any stigma attached to it, and that those who don't have it under control will seek help with all that is available to treat it'
Caterine Zeta-Jones: Bipolar disorder

'I thought I would live in this darkness forever. For someone who has performed in front of 20,000, I was scared to face 4-5. A year had passed and I wasn't responding to meds, until a 4th doctor from Delhi treated me...'
Honey Singh: Bipolar disorder

'The first time I had a panic attack... I thought the house was burning down. For the next 3 years... I would ask my mom to tell me exactly how the day was going to be... I needed to know that no one was going to die and nothing was going to change'
Emma Stone: Anxiety disorder

'I'm treating my anxiety. I'm on medication... Why am I saying this? Because it's a normal thing. It's a biological problem. There is nothing shameful about it or something to hide. If you had stomach pain, wouldn't you go to the doctor? It's that simple'
Anushka Sharma: Anxiety disorder

Mind games
>> Dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder)
>> Borderline personality disorder
>> Obsessive-compulsive disorder
>> Intermittent explosive disorder
>> Clinical depression
>> Acute stress disorder
>> Bipolar disorder
>> Anxiety disorders
>> Psychosis
>> Schizophrenia

Disturbing numbers

450
No. of mental disorders as per the APA

322 mn
Global population under depression

38 mn
No. of Indians suffering from anxiety disorders

56 mn
No. of Indians suffering from depression

13.7%
Indians suffering from mental disorders

1.35 lakh
No. of Indians killing themselves every year