The widespread stigmatisation of mental health conditions has been clearly recognised. Despite growing awareness, a wide gap remains to be filled to ensure adequate support and services for all. In alignment with the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day on October 10, we need to work towards achieving dignity in mental health.

Indian scenario

It is appalling that mental illnesses are increasing at an epidemic rate today. The World Health Organization predicts that 20 per cent of India’s population will suffer from some form of mental illness by 2020. Despite increasing efforts, mental health is still largely shrouded by myths, with a large cross-section of society being discriminated against. These issues further breed hesitancy and reluctance to seek professional help. Fear of stigma might also prevent timely identification and reporting of mental illnesses.

In addition to the health and social costs, those suffering from mental illnesses are also victims of human rights violations, both inside and outside psychiatric institutions. Ignorance also breeds indifference as bystanders become more apathetic. With an unprecedented increase in crime rates, corruption as well as unrest in the population, there is ample evidence to prove the need to focus on promoting mental health and psychological wellbeing today.

Create dignity and sensitivity

While we must reiterate the need for human rights-oriented policies, it is more important for all of us as individuals to come forward and take up the responsibility of removing stigma. We, the people, form the grassroots of such issues and, therefore, if we can become more sensitive to the rights and needs of others, it will lead to a surge of change across all levels of society.

Labelling a person with a mental illness is simply unfair, as mental illness is as biological as a physical illness, requiring empathy and support. Dignity is simply the way we feel, think and behave with regard to how we value ourselves and others. To treat others with dignity, it is important to take into consideration who we are and what we believe in. This, in turn, helps shape our behaviour and attitude towards others.

Besides discriminating against mental illnesses, there are many instances in our daily lives of our own or another person’s dignity being compromised, which we might not notice. For instance, bullying, physical or verbal, makes the person feel terrible about oneself and the world. Often, unruly comments or judgments made through social media could be invading one’s privacy and sense of dignity. Even when we make comparisons, think stereotypically or impose ourselves on others, we are infringing upon their dignity.

As a society, we need to develop empathy, celebrate individual differences and refrain from generalising.

The way forward

We need to acknowledge mental health not as just a stigmatised aspect of society, but as integral to our wellbeing. Besides striving to free society from stigmatising, the need of the hour is to strongly advocate the preventive as well as curative aspects of mental health. With the National Mental Health Policy giving the hope of improving the future of mental health in India, we do notice signs of increasing acceptability, as a more people are now willing to reach out to a mental health professional.

The best model to build is an integration of private-public partnerships, so we can join forces to work towards targeting the grassroots level and help make a difference in the community. The biggest step towards such a goal would be to ensure widespread awareness about mental illnesses, to be able to overcome the reluctance associated with mental health and, thereby, encourage reporting as well as seeking help. At the same time, we need to promote training and empowerment of parents, teachers, social workers, staff and all those first-line workers who actively engage with children and adolescents, for early identification and timely intervention.

We must, therefore, realise that with adequate and timely identification and intervention, we can prevent mental illnesses, and millions of people suffering from mental illnesses can actually be reached out to. Let us ensure that people with mental health conditions live a life of dignity, respect and compassion.

Dr Parikh is director, mental health and behavioural sciences, Fortis Healthcare.