Goans, especially the youth in the State, are suffering from depression on a large scale, as over 71 % panic calls received by the Tele-MANAS helpline are from those between 18-45 ages – which points out to a very scary figure for this tiny State. The Goan explores what makes youth sink into depression
Is Goa heading towards a mental pandemic, sooner or later? Psychologists, counsellors and psychiatrists practicing individually or with NGOs are asking this question to themselves. The recent figures claim that 10 % of the Goan population is into some sort of depression – albeit the underlying reasons could vary. It means, in every 100 persons, 10 are undergoing stress and depression due to whatever reason. Experts have raised the alarm stating that there is a rising mental health crises situation in the State, with people suffering high stress, depression and anxiety leading to dwindling suicidal tendencies. The rate of suicides in Goa is 15.8 per lakh, which exceeds the national average of 11.7.
The sad and shocking part of this is that over 70 % of the youth (aged 18-45) are undergoing depression and have been living in a state of mental trauma. Out of the total calls received by Tele-MANAS, calls from teenagers aged 13-17 are 10.9 %, and calls from those between the ages 46-64 are 11.8 %. But the highest number of calls (71.2 %) is from the youth aged 18-45. The percentile of calls from those below 12 years and above 65 years is 2.9 and 3.1 respectively.
Mechanical life, absence of leisure activities
“Today’s lifestyle is very hectic. People are just speeding up their life like a machine to get more and more output. Trapped in a vicious circle they have no time for relaxation, entertainment or leisure activities that can slow down this technological pace. The competition in each field demands excelling, leading to constant releasing of toxic stress hormones. When the body stops coping up with the high levels of stress, it tries to give up, and either sinks into depression or revolts and rebels. Either of this is not a good sign for a balanced mental health state,” points out a psychological counsellor from Margao who admits seeing high levels of stress and frustration among the students with competitive spirit, especially when they fail to meet their own set standards.
Tele-MANAS: A listening ear
Unfortunately, those who are out of educational institutions and still suffer anxiety have nothing to rely on or no one to fall back on. With no supportive ecosystem around them, some take the help of Tele-MANAS (14416 / 1800-891-4416), an initiative launched by the government of Goa for 24/7 free counselling. Most calls received speak of stressful personal relations, work stress, examination stress, mood disorders, insomnia, too much worry, sadness, loneliness, or difference of opinions etc. Many who don’t have close friends whom they can trust and share their emotional baggage with prefer talking to some stranger sitting on the other end of the call. It helps relieve mental burden and feel light.
Family abandonment, social isolation, addiction
“I have no shoulder to lean over, when I am feeling low. Anxiety makes me uneasy, and I spend sleepless nights, tossing all the time. Rising stress leads to nervousness and uncontrolled bowel movements. I got out of my severe alcohol addiction, but post-that phase, I am still undergoing a lot of anxiety attacks,” disclosed a man in his early thirties who lost his job abroad due to alcoholism and loss of concentration on work. The person, who returned to his home in Goa, was abandoned by the family, which made the situation worse. He survives on anti-depressant pills now.
Such family abandonment, social isolation, relationship issues, loneliness among elderly, vices like smoking, alcohol consumption or drug abuse leads to depressed mood or mood swings. Sometimes it translates into suicidal tendencies. The studies indicate that depression and stress affects 5-10 % of young adults and 15-25 % of patients visiting primary health centres. Women living with depression outnumber men by almost 100 %. Out of the 540 who were counselled, 371 were women. The Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) is also seeing increased patient numbers.
Make that one call, pay a visit
The initiative 'Impress' is being run through the primary health centres, community health centres and other government healthcare facilities in association with an NGO, Sangath. This initiative makes Goa the first State in India to include mental health screening and counselling at the primary healthcare level. Sangath's mental health experts train select medical professionals from the government's PHCs who then screen and counsel patients under strict supervision of professionals and experts.
Even doctors suffer burnout
According to the study conducted by the Indian Medical Association’s Goa unit released in January 2024, 42 % of physicians in Goa show symptoms of burnout, with depression and anxiety being the common mental health struggles faced by the doctors. Work-related stress, work-life imbalance due to long working hours, constant on-call availability, administrative burdens, emotional burden from witnessing suffering and death from close quarters, and limited control over complex systems such as insurance are the factors that contribute to this situation. The report said the survey, conducted for the first time in Goa, was aimed at examining the well-being of doctors, 28 % of whom suffered depression and 14 %, anxiety.
The data reveals that people from all walks of life are undergoing stress and the situation needs to be curbed in time before it goes out of control.
