Highlights
- Karnataka launched a Karnataka Brain Health initiative to curb Covid related stress.
- Covid related stress prepares the Karnataka doctors to train in mental well-being.
Dr K Sudhakar, Health Minister of Karnataka, launched the Brain Health Initiative, a first of its kind plan in India and undertaken by NIMHANS in association with Niti Aayog.
This programme trains doctors in screening and treating mental health patients. The minister supported the Karnataka government’s initiative in helping people cope with mental health issues.
On a virtual launch program, Sudhakar talked about the Karnataka. Brain Health Initiative and its implementation in Bengaluru, Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts on a pilot basis.
He also mentioned the mental health counselling sessions with Covid infected persons and their family members.
Dr Sudhakar is also of the opinion that it is essential to take care of one’s mental health for the overall development of an individual. And considering the same belief, he appreciated the effort made by NIMHANS in handling mental health care to the people.
He added,
“Under this Brain Health Initiative, even general physicians will get training on mental healthcare.”
Covid Pandemic and Mental Health in India
The Covid19 pandemic, which has been wreaking havoc in India for the past two years, is resulting in many serious issues related to people’s health and well-being.
It was mainly because of the uncertain lockdown for a prolonged period, which led to travel restrictions and work from home mandates. Economic insecurity is another grievous issue that people in India have been dealing with for a long time now.
The shutting down of businesses and schools have added more to the collective social anxiety. However, the mental health crisis is not just limited to India.
A study published by The Lancet medical journal on October 8, 2021, revealed that anxiety disorders and depression bouts had increased rapidly, especially among women and youth worldwide.
The researchers estimate that 76.2 million cases of anxiety disorders and 53.2 million more issues of major depressive disorders in 2020 were sole because of the pandemic.
The study estimated increases of about 35% in the prevalence of such diseases in India. UNICEF has also shown concern regarding the mental health of children and young people in India.
A study by the Indian Psychiatric Society and the Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health has found out the long-term consequences of the pandemic and lockdowns on children’s emotional well-being and mental health.
Karnataka’s Brain Health Initiative; A move towards better India
Dr Sudhakar’s move towards mental health is a prime need of the hour in the country. He wants to train the doctors well in mental healthcare to improve the quality of the life of the people.
He insisted that the programme organizers should focus on implementation and deliver better results so that the move towards mental health improvement gets more highlighted in the future.
Mental Health is as important as physical health, and its relevance is more apparent in society than before. History suggests that any infectious disease outbreak or pandemic significantly impacts the mental health front.
During the Ebola outbreak in 2014, records say that symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress and anxiety-depression were more prevalent even after one year of Ebola response.
The trajectory is the same with the HIV pandemic. So, in conclusion, the risk of PTSD or any mental health issue is a huge challenge to tackle within the country’s mental health system.
Thus, the Brain Health Initiative taken by Karnataka Government on the mental health front is sure to set an example for the rest of the county to follow. Covid 19 pandemic comes with a series of mental health issues like stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, insomnia, denial, anger and fear.
It is a restorative measure initiated by the health department in Karnataka to tackle the increasing mental health issues among various population groups.
Edited By- Subbuthai Padma
Published By- Satheesh Kumar
