President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the growing significance of mental health care and awareness on January 3, 2025, pointing out that mental health problems have emerged as a major worldwide concern. She admitted that mental health had not historically gotten enough attention, especially in some communities, when speaking at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences’ (NIMHANS) golden jubilee celebrations in Bengaluru. Nonetheless, she pointed out that there has been a rise in mental health awareness recently, which has assisted in lessening the stigma and pseudoscientific notions associated with mental diseases. This change has made it simpler for people with a variety of mental health issues to get treatment.
The President noted that mental health problems have been made worse worldwide by the COVID-19 epidemic, which has an impact on people of all ages. Teens and young adults are especially at risk since they are under more and more pressure to perform well academically as a result of comparisons and expectations from society. As a result of societal shifts, working professionals are under increasing stress, and many older people experience loneliness. Women frequently experience underappreciated mental health issues as a result of taking on the dual load of caring for their families and household duties. President Murmu voiced optimism in spite of these worries, pointing out that increased knowledge has prompted many patients to talk about their difficulties and ask for assistance.
The President also emphasized the actions being taken to address mental health issues, including the creation of programs like Tele-MANAS, which offer easily available counselling services from any location at any time. She commended NIMHANS for being a trailblazer in the integration of contemporary healthcare systems with age-old practices like yoga and Ayurveda, resulting in a comprehensive strategy for treating both physical and mental health conditions.
President Murmu also praised the increased number of female students at NIMHANS, pointing out that women make up 79.7% of undergraduate students and 61.4% of postgraduate students. She emphasized that women contribute a distinct viewpoint to mental health treatment, both in research and in providing care.
The President opened a number of significant facilities, including as the Central Laboratory Complex, the Bhima Hostel, and the Psychiatry Specialty Block, in honour of NIMHANS’ golden jubilee. She also enhanced the capacities of mental healthcare in India by dedicating the country to state-of-the-art diagnostic tools like the DSA System and the sophisticated 3T MRI Scanner.
SOURCE :
THE HINDU
