12.8% of Kerala population faces mental health issues: Health Minister Veena George 

Kerala Health Minister Veena George stated on Sunday that 12.8 % of state's population has mental health difficulties that require medical attention, but only 15% of those who need it seek it. People are t reaching out to treatment centres and medical institutions because y are igrant of such facilities, according to data released on World Mental Health Day by Kerala Health Minister.

On World Mental Health Day, George opened an online seminar hosted by Department of Psychiatry, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chapter, Indian Psychiatric Society, Kerala, and Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad. She stressed importance of raising mental health awareness in post-COVID environment, saying that individuals are particularly stressed after COVID due to a variety of causes, wher financial or orwise. She went on to say that everything is moving online, including studies, and that children's mental health should be prioritised.

'Misconceptions about mental health need to be rectified' 

George stated that Health Department is vigorously pursuing this aim with everyone's help. She emphasised importance of mental health counselling in a post-COVID-19 environment, saying that people's physical and mental health is crucial for any society's survival and progress. She ted that re are societal misconceptions about mental health that need to be rectified through effective awareness campaigns, which she is working on.

"Along with health of body, health of mind is also very important. Everyone needs to pay attention to identify ailments, pains and diseases and seek timely treatment. But it is a fact that most people are t able to diagse mental health problems, symptoms and conditions and seek scientific treatment. It is important to te that most people do t have an accurate understanding of mental health," said George.

'Critical to ramp up mental health awareness'

In this environment, Kerala minister believes that it is critical that activities connected to mental health literacy be ramped up in society. She stressed importance of raising mental health awareness in post-COVID era, saying that individuals are particularly stressed after COVID due to a variety of causes, wher financial or orwise. She went on to say that everything is moving online, including studies, and that children's mental health should be prioritised. She ted that re are societal misconceptions about mental health that need to be rectified through effective awareness campaigns, which she is working on.

World Mental Health Day significance 

World Mental Health Day is marked on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health concerns and mobilise actions to support mental health. It's a global day dedicated to mental health education, awareness, and activism in response to social stigma.

It was established in 1992 at request of World Federation for Mental Health, which is a global mental health organisation with members and contacts in over 150 countries. Thousands of supporters gar on this day every October to commemorate annual awareness campaign to raise awareness of mental illnesses and it's severe effects on people's lives all around world.

In some countries, such as Australia, this day is part of a week-long awareness campaign, such as Mental Health Week. WHO supports World Mental Health Day by promoting awareness about mental health concerns through its strong ties with health ministries and civil society organisations around world. WHO also assists in creation of technical and communication materials.

(With inputs from ANI, Im: Veena George/Facebook)