Everyone in India has the right to access quality mental health treatment provided by the state. However, the infrastructure in India to support mental health is weak. So, what measures should one take to boost Mental Health Awareness in India? The first step is educating them.
When people are having mental health problems, they may be hesitant to seek treatment because of the negative connotations associated with having a mental disease. One barrier to receiving Mental health awareness in India is the high expense of therapy; fortunately, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have stepped in to fill this gap.
Mental Health Helpline Number In India
The helpline number for mental health emergencies in India is the National Mental Health Helpline number, which is +91 52987821 (Hours: Mon-Sat, 10 AM—8 PM)
This helpline is operated by the Indian government's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and provides confidential and anonymous support for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies. The helpline is available 24/7 and assists in multiple languages.
It's worth mentioning that other helpline numbers provide support for mental health and emotional distress in India, such as:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: +91 52987821 (Hours: Mon-Sat, 10 AM—8 PM)
AASRA: +91-9820466726
Sneha India Foundation: +91 675 35765
Connecting NGO: 18002094353
SAHAI: 044 24640050 (Tamil Nadu)
It's also worth noting that, in case of an emergency, it is always best to immediately call the emergency services on "108" or the nearest hospital or clinic for immediate help.
NGOs In India For Mental Health & Anxiety
We've compiled a list of organizations doing good work to help people with mental health issues who are neglected. Let’s check out the NGO help for students with Anxiety.
The Mindroot Foundation
The Mindroot Foundation was founded in 2016 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, with the primary aim of eliminating the social stigma associated with mental health issues and drug misuse. People struggling with mental health issues are encouraged to talk about their struggles openly and without fear of stigma from others around them, as advocated for by the organization.
At regular intervals, Mindroot hosts seminars, workshops, and other activities to spread awareness about the value of mental health. Students in schools, villages, bank employees, and others in specific target groups get the education they need to develop healthy coping mechanisms and increase their overall quality of life. It provides a forum where those with mental illness may talk openly about their experiences and where helpful solutions to common issues can be found.
Telephone: +919352572799
Email: info@mindroot.org
Address: T 12 A, Mahaveer Nagar I, Near Sethi Hospital, Tonk Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan-302018
Minds In Need of Service
This Telangana-based organisation works to reduce the social isolation and shame that people with mental illness often face by offering them information, treatment, and encouragement.
Topics covered by Minds Foundation's juvenile mental health education programme include autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety, self-image, suicide, cyberbullying, drug and alcohol misuse, eating disorders, and internet addiction. The organisation also provides workshops for educators and parents on health topics.
If you are based in India: You can reach us directly via call at 18005-477-200
Temporarily only available between 9AM - 6PM India Time, 7 days a week.
E-mail us at help@mindsfoundation.org
LonePack
In 2016, a group of young engineering students in India launched LonePack, a community effort to raise awareness about and take action against mental health concerns among India's youth. The goal of the organisation is to provide a welcoming space where people with mental health issues may talk openly without fear of judgment.
The organisation runs campaigns, events, and seminars at institutions of higher education and businesses to promote the value of emotional health. More than 40,000 individuals were reached during the previous two years. LonePack Buddy provides an anonymous peer-to-peer support system for individuals to talk about their mental health in a secure environment. When it comes to mental health, LonePack's mission is simple: provide everyone with the resources they need.
contact@lonepack.org
https://www.lonepack.org/#contact
Banyan
The Banyan, with headquarters in Chennai, serves the states of Tamil Nadu (including its capital), Kerala (including its capital), and Maharashtra (including its capital). Mental health treatments range from in-patient hospitalisation to outpatient therapy in local communities and clinics.
The Banyan's activities are directed at achieving transformative social justice, which includes helping formerly homeless individuals with mental health issues return home, find gainful employment, rebuild their social networks, and live the life they've always wanted. As part of its services, it pays physicians and psychiatrists to see in-house patients who qualify for sponsorship. The Banyan's clinics may be found in both rural and urban areas, and they serve people with mental illness.
Contact
Jan Sahas
Jan Sahas, which means "People's Courage," was founded in 2000 to end manual scavenging by raising public consciousness and equipping local communities to do so. They've expanded their mission throughout the years to address issues including forced labour, gender, caste, and sexual abuse, as well as the improvement of individuals in need's mental health.
To help the communities it serves become more self-reliant, Jan Sahas maintains its in-house counselling section. The programme has provided direct counselling assistance to approximately 7,000 mothers and children. Over 400 'Barefoot counsellors' (mental health caregivers) are employed by the organisation to provide community-based counselling services. In the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi NCR, and Bihar, Jan Sahas has a direct presence in 48 districts and an indirect presence in 20 more districts.
City Council:135, Sadashiv Nagar, Civil Line, Dewas - 455001(M.P.)
Email: contactus@jansahassociety.org
White Swan Foundation
Delhi-based NGO working to improve mental health in India via international partnerships with professionals, people with first-hand experience, and like-minded individuals and organisations.
The White Swan Foundation's efforts to educate the public centre on the organization's well-researched and carefully crafted information. Their main goal is to get the word out, and they do this by distributing our well-researched and curated information to different groups. Their mission is to provide reliable, up-to-date information on Mental health awareness in India conditions so that patients, carers, and others may make educated choices about their treatment.
connect@whiteswanfoundation.org
https://www.whiteswanfoundation.org/connect-with-us
Indian Council of Medical Research: Need for Mental Health Awareness
Indian Council of Medical Research is one of the oldest and largest medical research centres in India. This apex body helps to formulate biomedical research and is funded by the government.
The 2015-16 National Mental Health Survey also found that 15% of Indian adults need active support for one or more mental health concerns. The survey also reported that at the time of the survey, 2.7% were actively managing these disorders.
In addition to government data, surveys conducted by reputable organizations provide further insights. For example, a Deloitte survey of 3,995 employees in 2021-2022 found that 59% experienced symptoms of depression, such as sadness, lack of interest, fatigue, concentration issues, and poor decision-making.
Similarly, a 2021 UNICEF survey revealed that approximately 14% of 15 to 24-year-olds in India frequently experienced feelings of depression or disinterest. Additionally, the World Health Organization's 2015 report indicated that around 4.5% of the Indian population, equivalent to approximately 56,675,969 individuals, were affected by depressive disorders.
Source: https://mindvoyage.in/depression-in-india-latest-statistics/
Research in neuroscience by the Indian Council of Medical Research has shown that new behaviours may be taught to the brain. Individuals that have a "development mentality" are aware of this. Through hard work and practice, people are confident in their ability to improve in any area. One such is calming nerves.
Ageing is associated with an increase in the prevalence of depression and anxiety. Those who suffer from serious mental illnesses are particularly defenseless in times of crisis and must have ready access to mental health treatment and other necessities.
Having the cultural capacity to openly discuss emotions is also crucial. Maintaining good mental health and coping with times of emotional difficulty might be aided by regular expressions of emotion. We can all do our part to promote good mental health by doing things like becoming and staying active. Moving about helps maintain a healthy hormonal environment by influencing the levels of serotonin, cortisol, and other hormones. This allows one to be more present and aware, as well as to get a better night's sleep and maintain a steady disposition.
The proper diet is a powerful catalyst that may influence one's behavior and, by extension, one's state of mind. As a culture, we need to encourage people to reach out for support when they're struggling, whether that's from loved ones or trained experts. Taking a pause might help the mind relax and clear the way for more optimistic ideas. Therefore, it is fair to argue that the little things we do to improve our mental health may have a significant effect on the world around us.
Why It's Best to Ask for Help if one has Mental Health Issues?
Ever wondered why it's best to ask for help if one has mental health issues? There are several short-term and long-term advantages to actively seeking help if one has mental health issues. But why is it best to ask for help if one has mental health issues?
Source: dynamicyou.org
You'll No Longer Have To Face Adversity On Your Own
Having a mental health issue might make you feel quite alone. It's not the way out of adversity to fight it alone. Seeking assistance guarantees you'll have a group of people around you who will listen to you and help you through this difficult time. This group is well suited to provide sound advice and direction.
Your Relationships Will Improve
Counseling for mental health issues might help you mend broken relationships. If you communicate openly and honestly, you will be able to create stronger bonds with others.
It Lowers The Probability Of Developing Other Diseases
Having a poor mental state might have a domino effect on your health. Illnesses such as obesity, digestive issues, and depression have all been related to not getting enough sleep or having a sleep disorder. If you get care quickly, you may reduce your chances of developing complications.
It Instructs You In The Art Of Improvisational Survival
If you want to learn how to deal with your problems, expert assistance is the way to go. A heightened sense of awareness will aid you in navigating difficult circumstances.
You Can Boost Your Productivity At Work
In extreme cases, our mental health might prevent us from functioning well in the workplace. They could make us feel dejected and hopeless. If you get aid, you can figure out how to deal with issues that would otherwise compromise your health and mental prowess. No amount of stress will prevent you from giving it your all.
Tips for Anxiety Issues
You should not run away from things that make you nervous but rather confront them. The things you are capable of doing may surprise you. If you're feeling worried, consider these options for anxiety issues:
Embrace a "Development" Mentality as a Starting Point
Some individuals tend to get stuck in their ways. They may conclude, "That's just the way I am." I can't bring myself to raise my hand in class. That's why I'm going to stay silent. People with a fixed perspective don't believe things can evolve through time. Simply put, they accept themselves exactly as they are.
Take Note of the Physical Symptoms of Your Anxiousness
Do you get "butterflies" when you're nervous? How about some sweaty palms? Weak grip? A pounding heart? Knots in your muscular tissue?
All of these sensations are a component of the body's natural stress reaction. They're not dangerous, but the discomfort they cause is understandable. You'll be okay. When you experience them again, attempt to just be aware of them rather than reacting negatively to the fact that you are experiencing them. You shouldn't repress your emotions. You shouldn't ignore them entirely, but you don't have to give them more than you can handle either. Try to put them in the background if at all possible.
Breathe and Relax
Take a few deep breaths and try to relax whenever anxiety starts to creep in. Take a few deep breaths. Make sure you let all of that air out of your system. Taking four or five deep, slow breaths is recommended.
The release of stress hormones may be mitigated by practising deep, calm breathing. Both your physical and mental state may benefit from this. Focusing on the breath is a proven method for reducing stress and anxiety. You may feel calmer and in control of your emotions by focusing on your breathing in this way.
Keep Talking to Yourself
In a state of panic, you may say to yourself, "I can't do this!" alternatively "What if I screw this up?" or "This is too much." In its place, you could tell yourself encouraging things like, "I can do this!" or "It's OK to be worried. Yes, I can get this done.
Don't wait for your nerves to subside before taking action. To avoid feeling nervous, you can decide to put off raising your hand in class or initiate a conversation with the new individual until later. However, that's not how it works. You can reduce your anxiety by tackling it head-on.
Important Resources For People With Depression
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS): Located in Bengaluru, NIMHANS is one of the premier mental health institutions in India. They offer various services including outpatient clinics, inpatient care, and research facilities.
- Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (VIMHANS): Situated in Delhi, VIMHANS provides comprehensive mental health care services including diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for depression and other mental health disorders.
- Snehi: Snehi is a non-profit organization based in Delhi dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and providing support to individuals dealing with depression and other mental health issues. They offer counseling services and support groups.
- iCall Helpline: iCall is a helpline service based in Mumbai that offers counseling support to individuals dealing with various mental health concerns, including depression. They provide free and confidential counseling services over the phone and via email.
- The Live Love Laugh Foundation: Founded by actress Deepika Padukone, this organization aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in India and provide support to individuals dealing with depression. They offer educational resources, online counseling services, and community outreach programs.
- YourDOST: YourDOST is an online platform that provides counseling and emotional support to individuals dealing with various mental health issues, including depression. They offer chat-based counseling sessions with trained professionals.
If you are suffering from depression, the world is here to support you to recover from it. You are not alone in your fight against depression. Let us know in the comments if we can help you as an organization to overcome depression and anxiety!
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
