Shimla, Oct 11 (Representative) A divide exists between rich and poor as 80 per cent people suffering from mental disorder belonged to lower and middle economic background and can not avail the benefit of mental health care. This was stated by the Prof. and head of Psychiatry department of Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital Shimla Dr Dinesh Dutt Sharma who was addressing medical students on the occasion of World Mental Health Day 2021 here Monday. Dr Sharma insisted that efforts should be increased to address this gap by increasing awareness about mental disorders and addressing stigma faced by theses patients and availability of accessible and affordable treatment. ” As per provisions of Mental Healthcare Act 2017, it is the right of person suffering from mental illness to have access to affordable mental health care along with protection of their rights.”
Dr Sharma said informing the audience that the Covid -19 pandemic has adversely affected the mental health of people and mental illness had witnessed increase all over the globe. He said it has been found in the study that especially during pandemic, risk population group like elderly, children, migrants, people suffering from other illnesses affected most during the period. The officiating Principal of IGMC Shimla, Dr Dalip Gupta has reinforced the need for awareness, social commitment towards persons suffering from mental illness. Dr Gupta also elaborated about psychiatric co-morbidities along with physical illness and importance of treating them. On this occasion, MBBS Students participated in poster making competition focused along the main theme of ” Mental Health in an unequal world and Mental health care fore all let’s make it a reality ”. The function was attended by the faculty member, residents doctors, MBBS student, Nurses, Patients and their caregivers among others.