Tuesday, 10 October 2023 | MANSI BHAMBRI | DEHRADUN
International Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10 to raise awareness on the importance of mental wellbeing on a global scale. As the occasion is observed, experts state that mental health issues have become increasingly prevalent, affecting a significant portion of the population on a regular basis. Youngsters appear to be particularly afflicted by various types of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety and stress when compared to adults, said the experts.
Talking to The Pioneer, neuropsychologist Dr Sona Kaushal Gupta said, “The incidence of mental illness has noticeably risen in urban areas. Moreover, it is worth noting that young adults, in particular, seem to be disproportionately affected by these ailments. The influence of social media, cinema and a lack of communication are believed to contribute to the growing prevalence of mental illness among young adults.”
She further said that the celebration of World Mental Health Day is aimed at raising awareness about mental illnesses and their prevention. In order to combat mental illness in youngsters, it is crucial for parents to spend as much quality time as possible with their children. Additionally, parents should ensure that their children are not heavily influenced by social media, she added.
Further, the Dehradun based clinical psychologist Dr Pratibha Sharma said that in the city, there has been a significant increase of about 25 percent in cases of mental illness. Further, young adults are particularly susceptible to mental illnesses such as depression and stress. “The sudden rise of mental illness in youngsters can be attributed to factors such as drug addiction, excessive use of social media and the influence of cinema. Lack of communication with parents has also contributed to the increase in cases of mental illness among children,” said Sharma.
She further added that to overcome the cases of mental illness among children it is important for the parents to communicate as much as possible with their children.
