Today a violent mentally ill young man was seen wandering in our vicinity. He caused disturbance on our campus. I was able to turn him away in the morning by speaking to him gently and calmly, but on the agternoon he really scared our helper Jagarnath.
By his apearance he seems to belong to a good family. I have seen him in the marketplace too screaming at people and just talking loudly to himself. Yesterday he beat up a man on the street. If he shows up again and we are threatened by him, I shall call the police. Please pray for our protection and for this man too. He needs medication and care.
Mental illness is a social stigma in India. Mental patients are ignored, ostracized or abused. For their treatment people turn to quacks and faith healers in temples and shrines rather than qualified doctors.
Read this short report by Akashdeep Singh of Christian Medical College and Hospital , Ludhiana, Punjab,
Neglect of the Mentally ill in India
Akashdeep Singh
Christian Medical College and Hospital
The prevalence of major mental and behavioural disorders at any given point of time in India is estimated to be 65/1000 population translating to 70 million.1,2
The mentally ill are almost never taken seriously and are treated with little or no dignity. And worst of all, they are locked up, locked away.
The country's ability to treat, care for and rehabilitate the mentally ill leaves much to be desired - the ratio of trained psychiatrists to mentally ill patients is dramatically low at 1: 100,000. In the 37 government-run mental health institutions across the country the cot to patient ratio stands at an average of 1:14. 75% of mentally ill patients live in the villages, where even access to basic health-care is difficult. 53% of the state-run psychiatric hospitals have no programmes whatasoever for the rehabilitation of their inmates
The spending in terms of the country’s mental health budget does not exceed 1% of the total health expenditure. Though the National Mental Health Programme was implemented to provide services to rural as well as urban population but even today 80% of the rural population do not get these services Other barriers to the effective treatment of mental illness include lack of recognition of the seriousness of mental illness and lack of understanding about the benefits of services. Policy makers, insurance companies, health and labour policies, and the public at large – all discriminate between physical and mental problems.
Mental patients are being systematically and continuously ignored and denied the social rights they deserve
Read a related story - India 's Mentally Ill Turn to Faith Not Medicine
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sheeba (doggie) has a ear infection. I have been cleaning it and treating it with ear drops and cream. Early this morning I found it was bloody . She was suffering. I have called the pet shop boy to come and see her and bring the necessary medicines.
By his apearance he seems to belong to a good family. I have seen him in the marketplace too screaming at people and just talking loudly to himself. Yesterday he beat up a man on the street. If he shows up again and we are threatened by him, I shall call the police. Please pray for our protection and for this man too. He needs medication and care.
Mental illness is a social stigma in India. Mental patients are ignored, ostracized or abused. For their treatment people turn to quacks and faith healers in temples and shrines rather than qualified doctors.
Read this short report by Akashdeep Singh of Christian Medical College and Hospital , Ludhiana, Punjab,
Neglect of the Mentally ill in India
Akashdeep Singh
Christian Medical College and Hospital
The prevalence of major mental and behavioural disorders at any given point of time in India is estimated to be 65/1000 population translating to 70 million.1,2
The mentally ill are almost never taken seriously and are treated with little or no dignity. And worst of all, they are locked up, locked away.
The country's ability to treat, care for and rehabilitate the mentally ill leaves much to be desired - the ratio of trained psychiatrists to mentally ill patients is dramatically low at 1: 100,000. In the 37 government-run mental health institutions across the country the cot to patient ratio stands at an average of 1:14. 75% of mentally ill patients live in the villages, where even access to basic health-care is difficult. 53% of the state-run psychiatric hospitals have no programmes whatasoever for the rehabilitation of their inmates
The spending in terms of the country’s mental health budget does not exceed 1% of the total health expenditure. Though the National Mental Health Programme was implemented to provide services to rural as well as urban population but even today 80% of the rural population do not get these services Other barriers to the effective treatment of mental illness include lack of recognition of the seriousness of mental illness and lack of understanding about the benefits of services. Policy makers, insurance companies, health and labour policies, and the public at large – all discriminate between physical and mental problems.
Mental patients are being systematically and continuously ignored and denied the social rights they deserve
Read a related story - India 's Mentally Ill Turn to Faith Not Medicine
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sheeba (doggie) has a ear infection. I have been cleaning it and treating it with ear drops and cream. Early this morning I found it was bloody . She was suffering. I have called the pet shop boy to come and see her and bring the necessary medicines.
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