This Article is written by Kanimozhi. T (A law graduate)
INTRODUCTION:
In today’s world, mental disorders are quite often seen to be the main cause of disability as we all would have heard of. When someone is facing mental illness issues or when they are suffering from some mental disorders it would be very difficult for them to decide things on their own. Health is wealth is what all of us would have heard likewise health be it physical or mental should be given equal attention and significance. Undoubtedly Mental Health has been an all-time concern but in today’s era, it has taken much significance. And that’s because of the fact that technology has played a very vital role not only in bringing awareness about mental health but also in emphasizing its importance. Society is witnessing a wide range of changes as far as mental health is concerned because back then it was seen to be a stigma. The fact that mental health was seen as a stigma even pressurized and pushed people back from coming forward and expressing openly about their mental health issues be it anxiety, depression, or any other disorder for that matter. Even if they tried expressing how hurt they felt openly the society never took it seriously, they were either mocked or been taken for granted. Anything that concerned mental health has been taken as a weak person kind of a thing back then but thanks to this huge societal transformation that has happened because of laws, technology, media, and other awareness programs. Societal transformation can never happen in one day it takes time for it to transform altogether, for which we first need to check whether or not there are laws for the same.
SIGNIFICANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH :
As far as the laws are concerned, one famous act that comes to mind in the background of Indian laws is the Mental Health Care Act that put forth the most optimistic aspects thereby safeguarding the rights of persons who are mentally ill and also its object is to facilitate mentally ill persons for treatment(The Mental Health Care Act, 2017). The Mental Health Care Act 2017 also talks about how the act guarantees those people who are homeless or who are living below the poverty line by providing them with free quality treatment. When we look into the laws for mental health in other countries it is obvious that in few places of South Africa it has been witnessed that there are very few psychiatrists who could be accessed in case of any issues regarding mental health due to the dearth of knowledge in that aspect. Whereas in Japan we can witness the act that was enacted in the year 1950[1] (The mental hygiene Law), likewise in the USA there is a comprehensive framework for regulating mental health issues.
COVID 19 AND THE MENTAL HEALTH:
In the wake of the pandemic what has been most forgotten is the value and significance attached to the concept of mental health. The focus shifted much to how our economy is, the business aspect, our physical health aspect, loss of income, isolation, etc but did we at least think of stressing the mental health issues as such during this pandemic? Did we voice out about the mental health issues during the pandemic? From school-going children, adolescents to adults, and even older people, mental health issues haven’t really left anyone. The fear of the future has hit all of us hardly and equally with the news regarding covid-19 making all of us overthink about the future. The covid-19 has only enhanced the worsening of our mental health issues and that doesn’t only come from monotonous online classes or working hours at home but also due to the domestic abuse and other cybercrime-related issues that women were prone to during this pandemic. Initially, the major cause of mental health issues among us was major because the transmission of the virus itself is very uncertain in nature. The only way some people were able to cope up with the psychological stress due to the covid-19 was by ensuring that they reached out to their family members and friends for immediate help and made sure that they guided them to quality mental healthcare services.
CONCLUSION-WAY TOWARDS A SPLENDID FUTURE:
Mental health does not only include one’s social or emotional well-being but also attracts the psychological well-being of a human being within the umbrella of the term[2]. So here we need to think of whether or not this significant component of mental health has been completely abandoned during the pandemic. We would have come across the significant role played by the World Health Organization on mental health starting from its working with the member states in enhancing the mental health of Human beings in society. Let’s not forget that mental health and physical health are very closely linked with each other which means any disturbance to one’s mental health could fasten the worsening of our physical health. These days we have many germane and quality health care services provided for sorting out any problem associated with mental health and it is significant that those are accessed without any hesitation. I would conclude by stating that prevention programs or awareness programs are significant but what is more important is how we as individuals behave and treat people with mental disorders in society. It is our responsibility to make people around us feel very loved and make them comfortable in opening up about their mental issues and guide them in accessing germane mental health care services without seeing it as a stigma. Of course family support plays a vital role in helping people with mental health issues, hence the role played by the family members stands significant. Let us all thrive to ensure that we reach the objective that every Individual who is facing these mental illness issues/suffering from mental disorders in the world should be able to live their life with dignity without facing any discrimination or harassment.
REFERENCES:
[1] https://www.mondaq.com/india/healthcare/972410/mental-healthcare-act-a-legislation-for-the-people
[2] https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
