Understanding WHO’s New Mental Health Guidance
Context:
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its new guidance on mental health, highlighting the need to combine mental health with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Relevance:
GS-02 (Health)
Dimensions of the Article:
- Mental Health in India
- Concerns with Mental Health in India
- The Need for Updated Mental Health Policies
- Key Global Commitments for Mental Health Reform
- Challenges in Mental Health Systems
- Ways to Strengthen Mental Health Systems
Mental Health in India:
- According to the WHO, mental health is a state of well-being where a person is able to reach his/her full potential, manage everyday pressures, engage in productive and fruitful employment, and contribute to their community.
- WHO also states that it isn’t just the absence of mental illness but rather an integral part of health.
- WHO estimates that the burden of mental health problems in India is 2443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100,000 population; the age-adjusted suicide rate per 100,000 population is 21.1.
- And the economic loss due to mental health conditions in India between 2012 and 2030 is estimated at USD 1.03 trillion.
Concerns with Mental Health in India:
- Stigma and Resistance: The fear of being labelled as mentally ill has created a barrier that stops people from acknowledging that they have a problem.
- Lack of Resources and Support: Structural incapability of the required resources in mental healthcare of both urban and rural areas have heightened the problem. Lack of trained professionals, insufficient awareness among people, etc., have contributed a lot as well.
- Workplace Stress: The recent increase in the number of suicide cases due to high-pressure and uncontrolled stress in toxic work-places is another concern.
- Ignorance about mental health: The majority of the Indian population does not consider mental illness as a problem. Most of them feel it’s a part of life that is common and needs no medication or attention.
The Need for Updated Mental Health Policies
- Mental health is crucial for overall well-being, enabling individuals to cope with life’s challenges, achieve potential, and contribute to society.
- According to the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16, 10.6% of adults in India suffer from mental disorders.
- WHO’s guidance stresses that mental health must be a core component of UHC to ensure inclusive healthcare.
Key Global Commitments for Mental Health Reform
- The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, including psychosocial disabilities.
- The WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan (2013-2030) aims for 80% of endorsing countries to implement updated mental health policies by 2030.
Challenges in Mental Health Systems
- Limited Access to Care: Up to 90% of people with severe mental health conditions in some countries receive no care.
- Inadequate Funding and Resource Allocation: Public spending on mental health is minimal, with a global median of just 2% of government health budgets. Funds are often used on outdated institutions rather than community-based care.
- Lack of Inclusion: People with mental health conditions are often excluded from decisions affecting their lives, contrary to the CRPD ethos.
Ways to Strengthen Mental Health Systems
- Governments must prioritise mental health within UHC and allocate adequate resources.
- Community-based mental health services should be strengthened, reducing reliance on outdated institutions.
- Awareness and inclusion efforts must be enhanced to reduce stigma and ensure respect for human rights.
Conclusion:
WHO’s new mental health guidance provides a strategic roadmap for countries to reform mental health systems and ensure mental health is treated as a critical aspect of public health. Effective implementation can create a more inclusive, supportive, and healthier society.
Prelims Question:
With reference to WHO’s new mental health guidance, consider the following statements:
- It aims to integrate mental health into Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
- The guidance focuses only on the treatment of mental disorders.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A) 1 only
- B) 2 only
- C) Both 1 and 2
- D) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: A) 1 only
Mains Question:
Mental health is often overlooked in healthcare policies, despite its critical role in overall well-being. Comment (150 words)
