Reported by: Amit Mathur

The Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur organised an awareness programme on October 10^th 2011 – World Mental Health Day, at their College Campus.

The Chief Guest of the programme was the CEO – GMCH, Dr. N.C. Sharma and the Guest of Honour was Dr. K.A. Saifee, Principal and Controller – GMCH. There were many Senior Doctors and students of GMCH present in the programme.

The main speaker Dr. D.M. Mathur, Professor & Head Of Department – Department of Psychiatry, GMCH created awareness among the delegates by informing them that only 1% – 5% of the total budget is used for the awareness of Mental Health programme and diseases globally and this figure in India is even less than 1% due to which 75% – 80% of India’s population is unaware of cures of Mental Health Diseases.

Dr. Mathur further provided an astonishing statistic that on every 12 lac of population we have only one psychiatrist and on every 2 crores of population we have one clinical psychologist which shows the lack of awareness towards this important and critical issue in general public.

Putting the spotlight on Rajasthan, Dr. Mathur said that “over 1.5 cr. People, in some or the other way are suffering from different forms of Mental Health diseases and among them 13 lac come under Serious disorders.”

He emphasised on the importance of creating awareness and delivering quick and easily available Medical cure for such patients, so as to prevent related bad effects on the community in general. He also suggested that Mental Health Awareness programmes should be conducted from time to time to educate the people on the presence of such diseases and the available cure for them.

On this occasion, Dr. Jeetendra Jeengar also gave a presentation of his views on Mental Health.

Dr. Harish Mathur, Professor & HOD, Community Medicine, Geetanjali Medical College expressed concern on the alarming increase in related incidences, viz. Suicide, Homicide, Sexual Assault, Divorce, Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Vehicle accident, etc. which are indicators reflecting a substantial drop in community mental health status.

He was of the opinion that correctly imparted education, guidance and counselling at family and early school & teenage schooling level are the predominant weapons to overcome the rapid increase of such incidences.

This seminar was attended by many eminent personalities of Udaipur along with their families and a counselling session was also conducted subsequent to the programme.