BANGALORE: About 36 lakh persons require immediate psychiatric care in Karnataka and the morbidity rate due to mental illness is set to overtake cardiovascular diseases as the single largest health risk in India by 2020.These details were shared by the Director of National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) Dr P Satish Chandra at the ‘World Mental Health Week’ celebrations, 2011, here on Monday.He said that about 50 to 60 percent of every 1,000 individuals in the country were suffering from mental illness which needed urgent help.“Among all disabilities, mental disorders are associated with the highest rates of unemployment, between 70 per cent and 90 per cent,” he added stressing on the attention required to this area of medical science.Speaking on the occasion, Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas said that Accredited Social Health Activists(ASHA) should also be trained in the mental health care.“The Mysore model (where ASHA workers help implement health-related projects of the Government) should be followed in the other districts to take mental health care to masses’, he added.KR Puram MLA Nandish Reddy also announced that 50 acres of land has been earmarked to set up a NIMHANS satellite centre in KR Puram.Centre for Well Being InauguratedOn the occasion, The Centre for Well Being, aimed at providing services for prevention of metal health and substance abuse disorders by mental health experts in a friendly ambiance, was also inaugurated at 9th Main Road, BTM Layout on Monday.The centre would also be a hub for information, training and counselling on issues related to aspects of positive mental health and other minor health concerns SHUTTLE SERVICE BETWEEN HOSPITALS FROM RAJYOTSAVAPatients soon need not wait for long hours to commute between hospitals while seeking medical treatment.Urban Development Minister S Suresh Kumar, announced the launch of intra-hospital shuttle service for hospitals in the vicinity of NIMHANS at the World Mental Health Week’ celebrations here on Monday.He later inaugurated an advanced MRI facility at Neuro Centre.Hospitals to be linked by the shuttle service are Kidwai Institute of Oncology, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Karnataka Institute of Diabetology, Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD), Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health and NIMHANS. FACT FILE ■ One in four people will be affected by a mental disorder at some point of their lives ■ Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide ■ Every 40 seconds, someone commits suicide ■ Almost 50 per cent of all mental disorders begin before the age of 14 years ■ Thirty six lakh persons require immediate psychiatric care in Karnataka ■ Four out of five people with mental disorders in India do not receive treatment ■ Less than one per cent of India’s health budget is allocated for mental health.
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