{"id":50063,"date":"2015-10-07T10:00:30","date_gmt":"2015-10-07T04:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/?p=50063"},"modified":"2015-10-07T11:33:59","modified_gmt":"2015-10-07T06:03:59","slug":"world-mental-health-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/social-issues\/world-mental-health-day","title":{"rendered":"World Mental Health Day 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Dignity<\/a><\/p>\n

The theme of this year\u2019s World Mental Health Day \u2013 to be observed on 10th<\/sup>\u00a0October \u2013 is \u2018Dignity in Mental Health\u2019.<\/p>\n

At a time when people in several parts of the world have been subjected to appalling human rights violations, most recently in Syria, this is a timely theme.\u00a0 For an individual with mental illness to have to grapple with stigma and discrimination is like a double whammy; something that can further worsen the pre-existing illness.\u00a0 The same holds good for the family caring for an individual with mental illness.<\/p>\n

History<\/strong><\/p>\n

It all began on 10th<\/sup>\u00a0October 1992, when the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), based in the USA, decided to observe the Mental Health Day as a part of its annual activity.\u00a0 Since then, the event has grown and spread across the world and has been accepted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a day of celebration of mental health education, awareness and advocacy.<\/p>\n

What is dignity?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mental illness, one has to remember, is a broad category under which many ailments, some of which are minor and transitory are included.\u00a0 Therefore, one visit to a mental health professional does not indicate that the patient is \u2018mental\u2019 for life.\u00a0 Besides, there is no such thing as an entirely normal mental state, with most of us experiencing some form of distressing thoughts and experiences at some point during our lifetimes. \u00a0However, despite this an attitude of lack of dignity towards people with mental illness is commonly encountered. \u00a0We can understand dignity better by noting what contributes to indignity in mental health care.<\/p>\n

Stigma<\/strong>:\u00a0 One of the biggest challenges that individuals with mental illness and their families face comes from within the society itself.\u00a0 Derogatory comments, blaming, victimising and ostracising the person and his or her family are all too common.\u00a0 Unfortunately, stigma is rampant even among educated professionals.<\/p>\n

Institutionalisation<\/strong>:\u00a0 Gone are the days when people with enduring mental illnesses were locked up in asylums endlessly.\u00a0 Nowadays, it is all about community care and integration.\u00a0 It is about ensuring that the person with mental illness lives with his or her family wherever possible and participates in all the daily activities that a person without mental illness has access to.\u00a0 Community mental health teams are the norm these days and professionals such as community nurses and mental health social workers are much in demand to impart treatment within the community.\u00a0 Studies have also shown that living in a caring environment and participating in community activities has a positive impact on the mental health of the patient.<\/p>\n

Abuse<\/strong>:\u00a0 It is a fact that some form of abuse \u2013 physical, sexual or emotional \u2013 exists within institutions caring for people with mental illness.\u00a0 This is more prevalent in those places that cater to the needs of children, disabled, mentally retarded and the elderly.<\/p>\n

Exclusion<\/strong>: Mentally ill people are often excluded from decision making about their own healthcare and future policy-making by health care institutions.\u00a0 Barring instances wherein the person\u2019s mental capacity to make a sound decision is hampered \u2013 such as in those with several mental retardation \u2013 individuals with mental illness should have full say in matters relating to their treatment, hospitalisation, home care and community participation.<\/p>\n

How is dignity in mental healthcare maintained?<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the WHO, \u2018Being able to live a life with dignity stems from the respect of basic human rights including:<\/p>\n