Mental Health Crisis: 14% of Population Affected by Mental Disorders, Bangalore Mental Health Experts to Host Citywide Awareness Drives

14% of India Affected by Mental Disorders - Bangalore's Mental Health Experts to Launch Awareness Drive

بھارت میں دماغی صحت کا بحران: 14% آبادی دماغی عوارض سے متاثر، بنگلور کے دماغی صحت کے ماہرین شہر بھر میں آگاہی مہم کی میزبانی کریں گے۔

بھارت کا 14% دماغی امراض سے متاثر: بنگلور کے دماغی صحت کے ماہرین آگاہی مہم شروع کریں گے

میر عبدالحفیظ، دماغی صحت کے ماہر
ڈاکٹر سفینہ ناز، ماہر نفسیات اور دماغی صحت کی ماہر

14% of India Affected by Mental Disorders: Bangalore's Mental Health Experts to Launch Awareness Drive

Dr. Safina Naaz counselling a patient

Bangalore: Mental health disorders are a pressing issue in India, affecting nearly 14% of the population. An estimated 56 million people suffer from depression, while 38 million grapple with anxiety disorders. These conditions are contributing factors to India's alarming age-adjusted suicide rate of 21.1 per 100,000 population.

Despite the prevalence of mental health issues, many people prioritize physical health concerns such as fever and colds while neglecting their mental well-being. This hesitation to seek timely help for stress, anxiety, and depression can lead to severe consequences, including suicidal tendencies.

Prominent intellectual Meer Abdul Hafeez highlights the critical role of mental health in our overall well-being. He emphasizes that strained relationships between spouses, parents, and children often exacerbate stress and anxiety. Hafeez warns that mental disorders are increasingly common not only among adults but also among teenagers and children. He advocates for timely and professional counseling as an essential remedy.

Renowned Psychologist and Mental Health Expert, Dr. Safina Naaz, underscores the impact of social stigma, which prevents many from seeking help. Only 10-12% of those affected by mental health issues pursue professional treatment, while the majority suffer in silence. Dr. Safina urges individuals to consult mental health experts without hesitation, emphasizing that early intervention is key to resolving these challenges.

In a commendable initiative, Abdul Hafeez and Dr. Safina Naaz have announced a series of Mental Health Awareness Drives across Bangalore. These events, organized in collaboration with social organizations, aim to educate the public on the importance of mental well-being and foster a healthier, more harmonious society.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in breaking the silence around mental health, encouraging individuals to seek the help they need, and promoting a culture of openness and support.

1) Meer Abdul Hafeez, Mental Health Expert
2) Dr. Safina Naaz, Psychologist & Mental Health Expert