WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

The World Mental Health Day Observed on 10 October 2013 across the world to raise awareness about mental illness and its effects on people. The theme for the year 2013 is Mental health and older adults World Mental Health Day is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. 

This day, every year thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to Mental Illness and its major effects on peoples' life worldwide. World Health Organization also develops technical and communication material and provides technical assistance to the countries for advocacy campaigns around the World Mental Health Day.Medical Data states that one in four people globally experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. In India prevalence of mental disorders is six to seven percent for common mental disorders and about two percent for severe mental disorders. The Government of India has also introduced The Mental Health Care Bill 2013 in Parliament on 19 August 2013. The bill seeks to safeguard the right to access mental healthcare, right to protection from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and right to equality.We’re all aware of the enormous problems that loneliness, isolation, dementia and  depression can cause for older people, and much of the work of the Foundation focuses on improving the lives of  older people who experience these difficulties. 

On World Mental Health Day 2013 we want to celebrate the enormous potential that this phase can have in terms of enjoying a full and active later life, and maintaining a healthy social involvement in the community.

The World Federation for Mental Health recommends promoting active and healthy ageing in their newly published World Mental Health Day report, ‘Mental Health and Older people ’:“There is much we can do to promote good mental health and well-being in later life. Participation in meaningful activities, strong personal relationships and good physical health are key factors.”But the report also emphasizes the role responsibility that Government has, together with voluntary sector organizations and ‘for profit’ organizations, to promote good mental health among older people.

Prof. John Kurakar