Bhubaneswar: Odisha govt Wednesday announced drafting of a comprehensive mental health policy and setting up of counselling centres across the state amid the rise in mental health issues.
Deputy CM Pravati Parida announced this during the ‘Illness to Wellness’ summit on mental health and wellness, where experts underscored the urgent need to prioritise mental health alongside physical health.
Chief secretary Manoj Ahuja said the ensuing policy aimed to create an institutional framework to identify red flags early and reach out to vulnerable groups, especially the youth and elderly.
“We are witnessing an alarming increase in mental health cases triggered by sedentary lifestyles, technological overexposure, changing family structures, and deteriorating inter-personal relationships. In this era of abundance, learning to say ‘enough’ is key,” he said.
Emphasising that it is high time to emphasise on mental health, Parida said, “As we work towards building a Viksit Bharat, the good mental health of citizens must be an essential part of this journey. A mentally-resilient population is essential for a healthier, stronger nation.”
She highlighted the shortage of mental health professionals and said, “We don’t have enough seats in medical colleges for psychiatrists. Everyone talks about physical health, but mental health remains ignored. It’s high time we address this imbalance.” As part of its plan, the govt will observe Mental Health Week and run grassroots campaigns to break the stigma around mental illness.
The summit was attended by a diverse group of participants, including healthcare professionals like psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists; social workers, educators, including teachers, counsellors, and administrators; industry leaders and corporate professionals responsible for workplace wellness, parents, students, researchers, caregivers, and life and wellness coaches.
During the summit, various key issues were deliberated upon, including recognising early signs of common mental health conditions for early intervention, breaking stigma through open dialogue, exploring the mind-body connection and how physical activity impacts brain health, effective ways to manage stress, anxiety, and depression, and strengthening mental health through mindfulness, social support, and professional help.
With Odisha’s population projected to reach 4.91 crore by 2036 and the proportion of elderly expected to rise to 13.5 per cent by 2026, speakers called for a balanced approach to the needs of both younger and older citizens.
