According to Pooler (2009), depression is a form of disorder which is characterized by persistent feelings of worthlessness and sadness which makes someone lack the desire to engage in any formerly activity that is pleasurable. All mood disorders are characterized by a syndrome that include psychological like decreased concentration or somatic symptoms like insomnia. Anhedonia (depressed mood) is a prominent feature of this illness. Nevid (2009), adds that depression involves moods, body and thoughts hence cause pain for individual with the disorder and those who care about him or her. Mood disorders are classified into unipolar depressive disorders and bipolar disorders. The disorders are in different forms which include Major Depression disorder, dysthymic disorder and several others with different characteristics like postpartum depression, psychotic depression and seasonal affective disorder. Individuals suffering this illness have such symptoms like agitation, loss of interest; sleep disturbance, lack of concentration, low self-esteem, and a very low mood. Individuals under depression may ruminate over feelings of worthlessness, helplessness or self-hatred (Tsuang, Tohen, & Jone, 2011). They have poor concentration and memory and hence they might report multiple physical symptoms. Individual behavior is usually lethargic or agitated hence affecting family and friends. In most children, irritable mood is highly displayed unlike depressed mood. Due to lack of treatment or early recognition the illness is missed and delayed hence making it much worse. This is in low and middle income countries where access to healthcare is a major problem (Herrman, Maj, & Sartorius, 2009).
The point of prevalence in India is serious with mental disorders reaching 10-20 per 1000 of population. The provisions of health services are severely lacking where only about 20% of districts have implemented District Mental Health Program plan. Around 10% of individuals affected by mental disorders in India are receiving the right treatment facilitated by the huge disparity to access to health care facilities that are largely concentrated in urban areas (Goldberg, 2012). By 1999 the prevalence of India was 26.3% and 14,582 thousand DALY’s from depression. The current prevalence rate is estimated to be 15.1%. This is 3.66% of DALY’s due to all causes. In 2006 the suicide mortality rate was 10.5 per 100,000. The prevalence level is even higher on individuals who are most vulnerable
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Public health agenda
Objectives and Themes
This document examines the current landscape of mental health in India, focusing on the prevalence of depression, the significant barriers to effective treatment, and the challenges of integrating mental health into the broader public health agenda amidst resource constraints.
- Prevalence of major depressive disorders in India
- Barriers to mental health care and service distribution
- Government policies and the National Mental Health Program
- Challenges in funding and prioritizing mental health within public health
- Economic impact and the burden of mental illness
Excerpt from the Book
Introduction
According to Pooler (2009), depression is a form of disorder which is characterized by persistent feelings of worthlessness and sadness which makes someone lack the desire to engage in any formerly activity that is pleasurable. All mood disorders are characterized by a syndrome that include psychological like decreased concentration or somatic symptoms like insomnia. Anhedonia (depressed mood) is a prominent feature of this illness. Nevid (2009), adds that depression involves moods, body and thoughts hence cause pain for individual with the disorder and those who care about him or her. Mood disorders are classified into unipolar depressive disorders and bipolar disorders. The disorders are in different forms which include Major Depression disorder, dysthymic disorder and several others with different characteristics like postpartum depression, psychotic depression and seasonal affective disorder. Individuals suffering this illness have such symptoms like agitation, loss of interest; sleep disturbance, lack of concentration, low self-esteem, and a very low mood.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the clinical characteristics and diverse forms of depression while providing a detailed analysis of the prevalence, treatment gaps, and socio-economic challenges regarding mental healthcare in India.
2. Public health agenda: This section explores the difficulties of positioning mental health as a priority within a resource-constrained public health system that is heavily burdened by communicable diseases and competing medical demands.
Keywords
Mental health, Depression, India, Public health, Healthcare access, Psychiatry, Prevalence, Mental illness, Policy, Socio-economic, Treatment, Counseling, Stigma, Chronic disease, Healthcare funding
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this document?
The document focuses on the state of mental health in India, specifically addressing the high prevalence of depression and the systemic challenges in providing adequate treatment and facilities.
What are the central themes covered?
Key themes include the clinical nature of depression, barriers to care, the disparity between urban and rural mental health services, and the struggle to include mental health in the national public health agenda.
What is the core research objective?
The objective is to highlight the severity of the mental health crisis in India and demonstrate the urgent need for comprehensive policy changes and improved resource allocation.
Which methodology is utilized?
The work utilizes a descriptive analysis of current epidemiological data, government policy reviews, and health service assessments to outline the limitations of the current mental health infrastructure.
What does the main body address?
The main body examines the specific symptoms of depressive disorders, the failure of existing programs like the National Mental Health Program, and the socio-economic barriers affecting patient access to care.
Which keywords define this study?
Primary keywords include Mental health, Depression, India, Public health, Healthcare access, and Psychiatry.
Why is depression considered an afterthought in Indian healthcare?
It is often sidelined due to the overwhelming burden of communicable diseases and limited government budget, which forces policymakers to prioritize immediate physical health crises over mental health.
How does the urban-rural divide affect treatment in India?
Most mental health facilities and psychiatrists are concentrated in urban centers, leaving the majority of the rural population without access to formal care and contributing to untreated cases.
- Citation du texte
- Clinton Kelly (Auteur), 2013, Mental health. Depression, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/271703
