Societal shame, awareness lack, major obstacles

The data collected from various health information agencies, showing a spike in the number of prescriptions for people suffering from depression in the country, is symptomatic of the fact that at least some attention has been given to the long-festering problem of depression, which has become a global phenomenon. It is also indicative of two things: Either cases of depression have grown or more and more people are becoming aware of this serious health problem and are hence reporting. The answer is probably both. Depression and anxiety disorders have now become a serious health problem which needs to be acknowledged. In fact, like other diseases, such as heart and lung ailments, it is believed that depression has genetic linkages too.

While on the one hand, there are people who are aware about their mental illness, but are reluctant to acknowledge this mental disease. It is probably due to fear of public criticism or loss of opportunity. This has propelled the patient and his family members alike to conceal illness. The moment when one says “I want to consult a psychiatrist”, people go berserk. On the other hand, there are people, who are not even diagnosed about the problem. Such people do not view this mental health in the way they look at other physical problems. They link their changed behaviour to mood swings, environmental factors, stress, grief, difficult life circumstances etc. It does not come as a surprise that in this age when people — men and women, young and old, rich and the poor — face mounting pressure from office, troubled relationships, social and economic factors, they suffer from some kind of depression. This has, in fact, become a common practice. According to the World Health Organisation, India and China are the most affected by anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A lancet report too revealed that suicide is a significant cause of death in India and that nine of 10 cases of mental disorder in the country are not treated in a rational or professional manner.

However, it seems that discontent has perhaps been addressed to some extent. According to recent data, the number of prescriptions written out only by psychiatrists in 2016 represented a 14 per cent increase from the previous year. This is due to greater education and awareness. Celebrity confessions from the likes of Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan and Rishi Kapoor have served to make people understand that depression is not something to be hidden as shame but acknowledged and treated. Full acceptance on their part about their struggles and their battle have helped disseminate the affliction that society had otherwise swept under the carpet. Yet, it’s unfortunate that there are millions of people who put on a brave face and still feel compelled to suffer in silence. But things are changing and the day is not too far when half the battle will be won and India will detach itself from the stigma attached to this mental illness.