Importance of Mental Health Education in India

Education about mental health issues aids in the understanding of the problems that both directly and indirectly affect people. The stigma associated with mental health problems can be crippling. It holds whether a person is dealing with a mental health issue directly or knows someone who is. Insufficient knowledge about mental health issues may deter individuals from pursuing therapy. It may also give the impression that mental health problems are unsettling, unknown, or hazardous. We need to explore the critical significance of mental health education in India, delving into the challenges, survey findings, and the urgent need for comprehensive initiatives

Statistics of India

There are currently more than one billion people living in India. According to a 2015 World Health Organization study, 200 million Indians, or one in five of the country’s population, could experience depression at some point in their lives.

Only 10–12% of those who suffer from mental illness will seek help because of the stigma attached to it, a lack of knowledge, and restricted access to qualified assistance. Particularly high rates of insecurity, disorderly conduct, drug usage, distress, sadness, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts have been seen in young adults. A sharp drop in attention spans and subpar learning outcomes resulted from the switch to remote learning programs and brief closures. Loneliness and anxiety were exacerbated by restricted or non-existent access to digital learning, a lack of suitable counseling and assistance, and the incapacity to form social connections with peers.

Insights from Studies and Global Surveys:

Although there isn’t enough empirical data to fully comprehend the pandemic’s effects on mental health, many studies show how stigmatized Indian youth are and how generally awful their mental health is. The State of the World’s Children 2021 report, which presents UNICEF’s survey results for 21 countries, states that 7 out of 8 Indian children aged 15 to 24 reported having poor mental health, including feelings of indifference or depression. While just 41% said that when someone had mental health problems, they should seek help. Out of all the 21 countries surveyed, this was the lowest. The lack of qualified specialists in India exacerbates the country’s mental health crisis. India is estimated to have 0.75 psychiatrists per 1,000 patients, according to a study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry. This is significantly less than the required three psychiatrists per 1,000 patients.

Importance of Mental Health Education

Students’ success in the classroom and in their personal lives depends heavily on their mental health. Students who put their mental health first are more likely to succeed academically, build stronger bonds with others, and lead happier lives overall. The following are some of the factors that make mental health for students so crucial:

• Academic performance can be enhanced by students who prioritize their mental health because they are more adept at managing stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Improved relationships: Stronger bonds with friends, family, and peers are often the result of mental wellness.
• Decreased risk of mental health disorders: Teenagers who put their mental health first are less likely to experience anxiety, depression, or substance misuse.

How Can Schools Give Their Students An Effective Mental Health Education?

1) Adopt A Whole-School Mental Health Education Approach:

When everyone is involved in mental health programs—students, parents, teachers, school administrators, and even the larger community—they are more successful. In addition to helping to reinforce important lessons, a whole-school strategy offers consistency and continuity across contexts and stages. It lessens the time demand on teaching personnel by enabling the teaching of mental health topics alongside other learning areas. By fostering stronger relationships and ideals within the school community, a whole-school strategy can help provide a more supportive environment for students who are at risk.

2) Furnish Emotional And Social Skills:

The social and emotional component of mental health education is crucial. Programs for social and emotional learning focus on protective factors, resilience building, and the prevention of mental health illnesses in later life. To better control their emotions and communicate their needs, they assist pupils in recognizing and expressing their sentiments. Programs for social and emotional learning also educate kids how to cultivate wholesome connections, maintain their mental health, and act as a protective barrier against stress and misfortune in the future.

3) Advancement Of Mental Health Literacy:

A fundamental element of the majority of mental health education programs is mental health literacy. It entails knowing how to achieve and preserve mental wellness, the telltale signs and symptoms of prevalent mental health issues, practical coping mechanisms and treatment options, and when and how to seek professional assistance. Pupils are taught the value of good health practices, such as consistent exercise, good sleep hygiene, eating a balanced diet, abstaining from alcohol and other drugs, and having pleasant social relationships.

4) Divide The Stigma:

By dispelling myths, dispelling stereotypes, and disseminating factual information about mental health and seeking treatment, mental health services can help lessen stigma.

Regular and meaningful talks about mental health can be fostered in schools to help create a culture that is non-judgmental and supportive. Students will take away from these activities a strong message that their mental health is important and that seeking assistance is not a sign of weakness.

5) Overcome Obstacles To Help-Seeking:

A large number of youth do not seek mental health treatment. Due to stigma, shame, or difficulties differentiating between symptoms of anxiety and depression and “normal” levels of stress, students may choose not to seek help. Young individuals frequently state that they prefer independence. They can believe that no one can help them or harbor mistrust towards mental health specialists. It is crucial to regularly discuss the resources available for mental health help at your school, in your community, and online. Students must comprehend how these services operate, including how to access them and their confidentiality as well as their availability.

Consequences of No Mental Health Education

Students could struggle with mental health issues on their own if mental health education is lacking. Although there are school psychologists and counselors in many schools, many students don’t know how to get in touch with them, don’t feel comfortable talking to them, or both. Many teenagers, on the other hand, turn to their buddies or whatever online group they can discover. The internet may be detrimental in addition to being beneficial in many aspects. Children and teenagers can find misleading information or thoughts regarding their mental health on the internet since they are still developing their ability to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources.

Their life may appear unattainable for their age if they don’t understand why they feel the way they do or how to deal with it. They might thus suffer in quiet until it’s too late. Sadly, among children and adolescents, suicide ranks as the second most common cause of death. About half of those who made the decision to terminate their lives did not have a mental health diagnosis.

Stigmatizing mental health in classrooms causes more harm than benefit. Education about mental health issues can help kids feel less isolated and provide them with the tools they need to get the support they or their friends need.