Mental Health
The Himalayan Times
14 October 2016
Mental Health
It is encouraging and interesting to see
that many NGOs are gradually coming up to serve the mental ill people. However,
it seems that the government has not made its much needed effort on this health
issue. It has not yet set aside a separate table in its Ministry of Health and
Population to deal with mental health issues. There is one single mental
hospital which is overburdened with the patients and lacks adequate and
appropriate medical facilities. Some of the private hospitals are found
providing mental health services with qualified and trained psychiatrists.
Mental health is a concept that refers to a
human individual's emotional and psychological well-being. It is a state of
emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use
his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet
the ordinary demands of everyday life. According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), there is no single "official" definition of
mental health. One way to think about mental health is by looking at how
effectively and successfully a person functions. Feeling capable and competent;
being able to handle normal levels of stress, maintain satisfying
relationships, and leading an independent life; and being able to "bounce
back," or recover from difficult situations, are all signs of mental
health.
It is estimated that about 20 to 25 % of
the Nepal total population of 26.65 million people are affected with some kinds
of mental illness. There could be many causes. Among them are the acute
poverty, multiple dysfunctions of body, heredity, heavy mental distress, major
accidents and drug addict. Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Mania, Psychotic
disorder and Psychosis substance misuse are the major mental health problems.
Unless the social stigma, which is deeply
rooted in our culture, is minimized or completely rooted out, the mentally ill
will continue to get isolated from the family and community. Massive awareness
campaign is needed especially at the rural areas to make people aware about
this illness. The government should start monitoring the function of NGOs
involved in mental health programmes to ensure that they are properly providing
their services. It is mandatory for all the organization involved in mental
health programme to provide proper treatment and rehabilitate mental ill
patients in their family and communities.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj.
