Even in advance and high income countries only 50% of people with mental disorders have access to treatment and 85% mental patient in low-income and middle income countries have no access to treatment
KRC TIMES Desk
Joining the rest of the world, the World Mental Health Day, under the theme: ‘Mental Health for all Greater investment-Greater Access’ was observed at the State Mental Health Institution Kohima (SMHIK) on 10th October 2020.
Stressing on the theme of the day, Dr. T. Wabang, the Medical Superintendent, SMHIK in his speech said, the World Mental Health Day was first observed in the year 1992 at the initiative of world federation for Mental Health with overall objective of creating awareness about Mental Health and mobilizing efforts in support of Mental Health issues.
He highlighted that, according to the World Health Organisation, 450 million people live with Mental Disorder out of which one person out of four will be affected by Mental Disorders at some stage of their lives. He said 8 lakh people die of suicide every year and an average 1% of people suffer from severely incapacitating severe Mental Disorder and about 10% minor from Mental Disorders. He also highlighted the factors linked to the complication and losses due to Mental illness and said even in advance and high income countries only 50% of people with mental disorders have access to treatment and 85% mental patient in low-income and middle income countries have no access to treatment.
Stressing on the WHOs Mental Health Atlas 2014 survey, Dr. T. Wabang said the government spend on average 3% of their health budget on Mental Health ranging from less than 1% in low-income countries to 5% in high-income countries and pointed out that despite the growth in Mental Health Awareness, Mental Health investment has been stagnant across the globe and a greater movement and action was needed to increase access to Mental Health which is not only the responsibility of government alone. The Government, he said is responsible for infrastructure, manpower development and training, etc but it was everyone responsibility to participate in the awareness campaign, taking care of the mentally ill patient, removing stigma to mental illness and the misconception about mental illness which can make the theme “Mental Health for all, greater investment-greater access” to become a reality.
Dr. Temsulong in his short speech said that health is needed by all, but many give more importance about ones physical health than their mental health and added one cannot have healthy physical health without health mental health. So to maintain healthy physical health he stressed on how to keep one’s health fit by the ways of exercises, avoiding drug, alcohol, proper sleeps, having hobbies and emphasised on showing kindness to the needy as this act helps us mentally.
Nokpang Konyak, a patient of the SMHIK in his short testimony said many of the patients were from different parts of the state and they were scared and in a state of fear when first admitted in the institute but the kindness, love and care the doctors and staff of SMHIK have shown and given have taken their fear away and have changed them. He also thanked all the doctors and staff for their tireless love and support.
The highlights of the day were the special songs presented by one of the patients of SMHIK, Medozelhou and Dr. Viketoulie, SMO SMHIK who also chaired the programme. The road condition leading to the institute is so immotorable that most of the guardians of the patients prefer other private institutions and presently the SMHIK is housing 12 in-patients including 8 male patients and 4 female patients.
