MARGAO
A training programme for medical and nursing staff in Management of common mental health disorders organised by the District Mental Health Program (DMHP), Hospicio, South Goa District Hospital on Friday has revealed that India is facing a mental health epidemic. The participants were informed that WHO report states that about 20% of Indians would suffer from mental diseases by the end of this year and 5.6 crore Indians suffer from depression and 3.8 crore from anxiety disorders. National Mental Health Survey conducted by NIMHANS in 2016 shows about 70-80% of persons in India are struggling with mental illness receive no care. “There is a very huge treatment gap. Hence it becomes crucial to educate our primary health caregivers in management of common mental health disorders because they play a vital role in keeping patients not only physically healthy but mentally healthy also,” a speaker pointed out. The programme was conducted by Dr Pallavi Dhakne (Psychiatrist) and Vithoba Mhalkar (Asst Prof Nursing, IPHB) with Dr Rajendra Borkar, Medical Superintendent, SGDH, Hospicio, Margao as Chief Guest.
