The survey findings also state that while 59 percent respondents confide in their parents, only 29 percent confide in siblings while only 31 percent confide in their partners if they were to undergo therapy…reports Asian Lite News
In India, attitudes towards mental health and mental wellbeing have been gradually evolving with increased awareness and conversations towards reducing the stigma.
In its 3rd year, ITC’s Feel Good with Fiama Mental Wellbeing Survey unveils interesting facts to further understand young India’s changing attitudes towards mental wellbeing and mental health. Commissioned with NielsenIQ, the survey covers a gamut of beliefs, behaviours, major stressors and de-stressors for GenZ and Millennials towards mental health.
Relationships
On the relationship front, the survey indicates that toxic relationships make it harder for 38 percent Indian women to maintain good mental health.
The survey findings also state that while 59 percent respondents confide in their parents, only 29 percent confide in siblings while only 31 percent confide in their partners if they were to undergo therapy.
Only 33 percent GenZ confide in their siblings while 52 percent millennials confide in their partners.
Society and Culture
The Feel Good with Fiama Mental Wellbeing Survey 2023 indicates that a whopping 64 percent of Indians believe that living up to societal standards of success are what lead to burnouts; pressure higher for NCCS B with this score going up to 78 percent.
72 percent Indians Associate Poor Mental Health with Depression, however, on a positive note Indians are exploring alternatives to de-stress – Music is the preferred choice for 86 percent Indians to cope with stress and negativity, 31 percent of the respondents turn to meditation, 29 percent of the respondents turn to yoga while 26 percent of the respondents turn to physical exercise to cope with stress.
Mood and Behaviour
With respect to behaviour, 44 percent GenZs vs 53 percent millennials are prone to mood fluctuations.
57 percent GenZs believe “Excessive fear and worries” is one of the top indicators of Mental Health Issues. 52 percent GenZs believe that feeling tired and low energy is one of the top indicators of mental health issues. 47 percent said they take medicines as well as counselling to combat mental health issues.
Overall Wellbeing and Mental Health
54 percent of the Indian population believe that mental health is as important for over-all wellbeing.
On a positive note, the survey indicates that Indians reach out for professional help. 50 percent respondents/their family members opt for face-to-face counselling as a treatment, while 51 percent Indians who believe social media has a positive impact turn to online counselling as a treatment option.
Young adults are exploring alternatives to de-stress – Music is the preferred choice for 86 percent Indians to cope with stress and negativity.
Adequate funding can enhance access to quality mental healthcare, reducing the burden on individuals and families. In India, while public healthcare is improving with different government schemes, there is still a need to implement the same for mental healthcare…writes Aniruddha Sen
Mental illness is a prevalent and significant health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. It encompasses a wide range of conditions, such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. The impact of mental illness extends far beyond the individual, affecting families, communities, and societies as a whole.
While the human cost of mental illness is well-recognized, its economic burden is often overlooked or underestimated. The economic costs associated with mental health conditions are multifaceted, ranging from direct healthcare expenses to indirect costs resulting from productivity losses and reduced quality of life. Understanding this is crucial for policymakers, healthcare providers, and society at large, as it provides insights into the financial implications and highlights the importance of effective health financing mechanisms. The financial impact of mental illness can be categorised in three ways:
Direct Costs: Direct costs refer to the expenses directly incurred due to the treatment and management of mental illness. These costs include healthcare services, medication, hospitalization, outpatient care, therapy sessions, and specialized services such as rehabilitation and recovery programs. Mental health treatments often require long-term care and medication, resulting in substantial financial commitments.
Additionally, mental health services are not always readily accessible or affordable, exacerbating the economic burden for individuals and families. The direct costs of mental illness strain healthcare budgets and necessitate effective health financing strategies to ensure adequate funding for mental healthcare.
Indirect Costs of Mental Illness: Apart from direct costs, mental illness imposes significant indirect costs on individuals and the economy. Indirect costs arise from productivity losses, reduced educational attainment, unemployment, and increased disability claims. Productivity losses due to absenteeism, presenteeism (being present but not fully functioning), and reduced work performance contribute to economic burdens. People living with mental health conditions often face challenges in maintaining employment or pursuing educational opportunities due to the debilitating nature of their illnesses.
This places a strain on family members and caregivers, leading to lost income as they prioritize caregiving responsibilities. The emotional and psychological toll on caregivers can further impact their own mental well-being. Consequently, this leads to lower incomes, decreased tax revenues, and increased dependence on healthcare programs, which can create a burden on the government.
The Societal Costs of Mental Illness: Mental illness has far-reaching societal costs that extend into various sectors, including the criminal justice system and social welfare programs. Social welfare expenditures include disability benefits, social assistance programs, and more for individuals experiencing homelessness as a result of mental health challenges. This directly puts a cost on the healthcare system.
The broader societal and economic impacts directly emphasize the urgency of investing in mental health support systems.
How Adequate Health Financing Can Make a Difference?
Finances for healthcare are significantly impacted by the cost of mental illness. In order to fulfil the rising demand for mental health treatments, public healthcare systems must provide enough resources and money. However, there is frequently a mismatch between the demand for and supply of mental health care due to scarce resources and financial restraints. This necessitates thoughtful acts that can genuinely change things.
Public Health Funding: Mental health services must be adequately funded and integrated into mainstream healthcare systems. This requires policymakers to prioritize mental health in resource allocation decisions, ensuring sufficient budgetary allocations for mental health programs, infrastructure, and human resources.
Art and Design can encourage well-being and mental health of adults(IANSLIFE)
Adequate funding can enhance access to quality mental healthcare, reducing the burden on individuals and families. In India, while public healthcare is improving with different government schemes, there is still a need to implement the same for mental healthcare.
Access to Health Financing: Given the substantial economic burden of mental illness, there is a pressing need for comprehensive mental health policies that prioritize prevention, early intervention, and integrated care. This involves implementing policies that reduce financial barriers, such as providing insurance coverage for mental health treatments and medications. For this, HealthTech platforms should be encouraged to drive innovations and offer affordable health financing solutions.
Expanding mental health coverage within public and private insurance schemes can make a significant impact on improving accessibility and early detection of mental health conditions as well as increasing affordability and reducing the financial strain on individuals seeking mental healthcare.
Focus on Preventive Healthcare: While preventive measures have traditionally focused on physical health, there is increasing recognition of the importance of preventive strategies for mental health. One key aspect of this is to raise public awareness and reduce stigma. Education campaigns that emphasize mental health literacy and challenge misconceptions can help individuals recognize the importance of mental well-being and seek help when needed.
Implementing mental health promotion initiatives in educational or work settings, such as providing training for recognising signs of distress and offering support services can contribute to the overall well-being of individuals of all ages. Governments should also promote this initiative. For example, in Germany, paid leaves for health traumas associated with mental illness such as depression are quite common. It is important to treat Individuals going through rough patches with respect and compassion to help them heal. This helps prevent exacerbation and reduce associated costs of mental illness, thereby alleviating the economic burden on individuals and families.
The economic burden of mental illness is a significant concern that necessitates attention from policymakers, healthcare providers, and society. By acknowledging and addressing the economic implications of mental illness, a robust mental healthcare system can be built that supports the well-being of individuals and helps them live happy and healthy lives.
Stressing that it was a time when she was not herself, Chander remembers asking the Professor if she would ever be a good psychiatrist — considering she was battling the disease herself. Her doctor paused and assured her she would be a better one as she would always have a deeper idea of what her patients were going through…writes Sukant Deepak
It was 2020 when she started feeling anxious, and then started the act of cutting herself. It was impossible for her to stay still, there were uncontrollable spells of crying. From loss of appetite and sleep to inability to focus on anything — she had all the classic symptoms of anxiety and depression which any psychiatrist could decipher in the first meeting itself.
Just, in this case, this was happening to a psychiatrist.
When Aashima Chander (name changed) joined the Psychiatry department of Chandigarh’s prestigious Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) three years back as a Junior Resident, she initially assumed it was the high-pressure job — long working hours, strenuous academic demands and the massive number of consultations that were taking a toll on her.
“Those who make it to PGI’s post-graduate programme are overachievers and even a small dip in performance can lead to a feeling of worthlessness. And of course, there were times when I thought the teachers would think less of me — that I am unable to cope with the pressure. I may have joined the Department of Psychiatry but I was still a novice and did not realize that I was suffering from a mental illness for a long time. It was during a long spell of crying in the washroom, that a friend pulled me and forced me to see one of our Professors,” recalls the 28-year-old, originally from Prayagraj.
Stressing that it was a time when she was not herself, Chander remembers asking the Professor if she would ever be a good psychiatrist — considering she was battling the disease herself. Her doctor paused and assured her she would be a better one as she would always have a deeper idea of what her patients were going through.
Her husband, who is also a doctor pushed her to consult one. And Chandra’s mother played a special role. “She stayed with me when I was at my lowest. One day when I returned from the office, there were heart marks drawn with nail paint on every sharp object in her room — knives, and paper cutters.”
Ask her if she ever feels a certain disbelief that a mental health professional is suffering from this condition, and she smiles, “Not at all. Because I am a psychiatrist and know that this is an illness that can strike anyone.”
But Chandra recently who recently had a relapse, took a long time before she approached her consultant. “Let’s say, I was in denial — like any other patient.”
Along with medications, what helped her were certain observations made by her Professor during multiple sessions. “The fact that I had a tendency to always seek and thrive on appreciation, something that made me push my boundaries to what I wasn’t comfortable with and force me to overwork. he told me that this could also lead to professional abuse. Frankly, I am still changing that about myself.”
As the conversation veers to how mental illness is perceived in India even in this time and age, she feels the situation is sad across the world: “A patient is assumed to be harmful and out of control. Media and film descriptions have also added to that, there were really weird depictions even 10 years ago, although we have become somewhat more sensitive about it now. In a corporate setup, the top management tends to feel that someone with mental illness may not be able to handle the stress and then eventually turn out to be a liability. And of course, then there are psychiatric illnesses deniers who insist it is a hoax.”
The doctor, who is no longer with PGI now, applauds other professionals in her department for their sensitivity and for giving her the ‘space’. “Not that I announced my illness, but they know. And have never been intrusive. Once during my low phase, I was on emergency duty with a very strict Senior Resident. There was an immense work backlog, and I just started crying inconsolably. It was a panic attack. He sat there, kept looking at me, and did not say anything. After a while, handed me a glass of water. The act of not offering a quick fix was extremely kind.”
