After Corona, there has been an increase of around 20 per cent of people suffering from mental diseases in our country.
No one knows when depression takes the form of a fatal suicidal tendency. Out of all the cases of suicide, around 90% are victims of mental disorders. Therefore, sensitivity and public participation are important to fight depression.
The Covid pandemic has emerged in a fashion that none could imagine even. Initially, the sudden spread of Corona made everyone crazy. No one could understand how to deal with it, but soon the cause of the spread was discovered and the ways to treat it are being worked on a war footing. As a result, Covid is on the slope downwards, though the fear of a new wave is are still there.
Do you know how it was possible to fight Covid so far? - Because it was undisputedly considered and declared a disease! But what about the epidemic which either people are not familiar with, or, even if familiar, they prefer to deny its existence while ignoring it? The epidemic for which the World Health Organization also has been warning from time to time, DEPRESSION.
Depression triggers negative thoughts and actions
According to experts, depression is a common, but severe mental illness that causes negative thoughts and actions in the person suffering! Considering our interaction with people during the second Covid wave, we can safely say that Covid related anxiety and panic are devastating. We understand that if people who went through or are undergoing Covid related anxiety do not get the right counselling and treatment in time, their mental state may soon turn into depression. According to the survey of the Indian Psychiatric Society, the largest organization of psychiatrists in the country, there has been an alarming increase of around 20 per cent in the number of patients suffering from mental diseases in the country since the arrival of Corona.
Lack of awareness about mental health-related diseases in our country
Various researches have proved that infectious diseases have a profound mental impact on everything – even on those who are not affected by the disease. It is unfortunate that even with all the advancements in the medical field in the country, there is a lack of awareness related to mental health. Apart from this, another huge challenge in the fight against depression is that in our country, the line between insanity and depression is not drawn, which discourages people and they avoid seeking professional help for mental problems because they fear being isolated from society.
SIF Weekly Meetings play a vital role in its members’ mental health
Research has shown that if in the early stages of anxiety, panic and stress, emotional protection and communication is established, a person can avoid going into depression. This is also where SIF weekly meetings have proved their usefulness. Out of all the people who approach us are traumatized by the issues they face due to gender bias in society and laws, and many we realise are on the verge of depression as well, but once they become regular in meetings, they develop friendship in meetings with those people with whom they can safely vent out their emotions and discuss all their problems, humiliation, harassment or torture they might have gone through, which otherwise is very difficult as none in the world is bothered to lend ears to your emotions and traumas.
Sensitivity and public participation are necessary to fight depression
As SIF, we have our limitations and can’t be available everywhere, but what we have learned from our experience is that early symptoms of depression can be identified and treated through public awareness meetings and campaigns. No one knows when depression takes the form of a fatal suicidal tendency. Out of all the cases of suicide, around 90% are victims of mental disorders. Therefore, sensitivity and public participation are important to fight depression.