The World Health Day is observed on April 7 to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1950.
The WHO recognises public health diseases of global importance and normally issues advisory about their menace and epidemiological aspects. In the same vein it also selects themes on specific human health hazards of global importance each year which warrant for individual/group/community action and Government intervention through campaigns for a whole year with an object to create public awareness and their possible mitigation.
‘Depression: let’s talk’ is the theme for World Health Day - 2017. The theme is the outcome of deliberations at the World Mental Health Day- 2016 held on the October 10, 2016 in Geneva.
Routinely we come across several mental health problems in communities, families and individuals. In fact depression affects people of all ages, from all walks of life, in all countries. It causes mental anguish and impacts on people’s ability to perform even the simplest every day task with sometimes devastating consequences to relationship with family and friends and the ability to earn a living. At worst, depression can lead to self inflicted injury and suicide, the latter is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds.
Generally, we are unable to visualize the magnitude and impact of the problem and seldom bother and empathise with the victims unless it affects one of our kith and kin because of our societal attitude and approach towards overall community life. Regrettably, we are unable to fashion our responsibility, in the changed environment, for our fellow brethren in distress. It is common knowledge that when a person opens his heart, he gets relief from tension which otherwise could lead to depression, drug abuse and in extreme case to suicide. Many believe that mental health problems are related to heredity and brings social stigma to the affected family. Consequently, the affected family tries to hide the fact to escape the stigma and in many instances, abandon the victim.
Out of many mental ailments, depression is the largest cause of disability worldwide. More than 80 per cent of the disease burden is among people living in low- and middle-income countries. According to recent WHO estimates, the number of people living with depression has increased by more than 10 per cent between 2005 and 2015. This situation may be very relevant in context of suicides reported in Odisha and other States over the last several years - the main cause may be attributed to depression.
As a beginning, for people with depression, talking about it can be the first step towards recovery. Greatest solace is that depression can be prevented and treated. For all of us a better understanding of what depression is and how it can be prevented and treated, will help reduce the stigma associated with the condition, and lead to more people seeking help. It is better to understand the symptoms, contributing factors and prevention, diagnosis and treatment of depression. Depression is a status of mental health and different from usual mood fluctuations but when long lasting with moderate to severe intensity, it becomes a serious health condition. Interestingly depression is seen more in women than men. The yearlong campaign beginning April 7, 2017 seeks to fructify this endeavour with whole hearted public participation with focus on talking about the problem.
Perhaps there is no better platform than the Indian Red Cross Society in Odisha to take up the challenging task and launch an awareness programme with scores of dedicated volunteers on its roll. Awareness about depression can be generated by poster depiction. For example posters may be designed to depict conversation about depression between (a) two people (b) a mother and daughter (c) student and teacher (d) a healthcare worker (e) two men at work and (f) an older woman with younger woman etc., which may be displayed at home, a clinic, schools, colleges and universities and for men outside and women outdoors and places of work and public places like railway station, bus terminus, super markets and places of worship. However, we should know about the conditions that may lead to depression before embarking on an awareness drive.
These may be (i) living with someone with depression (ii) worried that your child is depressed (iii) worried about the future - preventing depression during teens and twenties (iv) wondering why your baby is not making you happy (v) do we know someone who may be considering suicide and (vi) do we feel like life is not worth living (vi) failure in academics at school and college (vii) unemployment (viii) love affairs and (ix) worried about farm loans and crop loss etc.
As a matter of fact those suffering rarely get access to counselling and modern medical treatment as their families try to hide their conditions out of sense of shame. It may denote as an infringement of human rights. However, psychiatric counseling coupled with humane approach and empathy from family members and friends and timely medical intervention could greatly help in reducing depression. If we can render humanitarian service to the victims facing mental health problems, it would be a great achievement. The recent Central legislation on mental healthcare services and decriminalizing the attempts at suicide will add fillip to the yearlong campaign.
(The writers are life Members, Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State Branch, Bhubaneswar, M: 9938537600)