GS paper 2
Syllabus: Issues related to development of social sector involving healthcare etc
Context: The Lancet released a new report calling for radical action to end stigma and discrimination in mental health on World Mental health day.
Key Highlights:
- Negative impact: 90% of people living with mental health conditions feel negatively impacted by stigma and discrimination.
- Worsening: 80% said stigma and discrimination can be worse than the condition itself.
- Role of media: 90% of those surveyed felt that media could play a major role in reducing stigma.
- One in eight people, nearly one billion people globally, are living with a mental health condition.
- There was an estimated 25 per cent rise in the prevalence of depression and anxiety in the first year of the pandemic
Negative Impact of Stigma:
- Social exclusion: It can cause social exclusion and disempowerment of people with mental health conditions.
- Healthcare access: Problems in accessing healthcare
- Employment: challenges in securing employment
- Early death: Increased likelihood of health complications leading to early death.
Suggestions by Commission:
- Immediate action by;
- governments
- International organizations
- employers
- healthcare provider
- media organizations
- Active contributions from people with lived experience: work together to eliminate mental health stigma and discrimination.
Indian context:
- Reduction in stigma: There is a gradual reduction of stigma in the country, and it continues to be a real and present problem.
- Women with a diagnosis of severe mental disorder: Women and their family members do face more stigma
- It has ramifications for marriage and employment.
Ways to reduce stigma:
- Social contact between people: with and without lived experience of mental illness is the most effective way to reduce stigma and discrimination.
- All countries take action to decriminalise suicide: Reducing the stigma around suicide and leading to fewer occurrences.
- Employers: They should have access to educational opportunities, work participation and return-to-work programmes.
The Lancet Global Health Commission: It is a group of 30 academics, policymakers, and health system stakeholders from 18 countries. The Commission reviews current knowledge, produces new empirical work, and offers policy recommendations.
Mental health: It is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
Insta Links:
Mains Links:
Q. Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieving ‘Health for All ‘in India. Explain. (UPSC 2018)
