top of page

About the problem

 

Every problem has some solution, only it needs is will power and dedication to solve that problem. One way to deal with the increasing number of mentally ill patients on road is to develop community mental health care. It will help in two ways, first human rights of the mentally ill (in line with the UN declaration of 1991) as well as developing an institution for such people.

According to a survey about 2 to 5% of population of India is suffering from some sort of mental or behaviourial disorder. Out of which 1% is having serious form of mental illness requiring urgent care. There are around 4 lakh wondering mentally ill belong mainly to economically backward and socially mirginalised families. Nine out of ten 10 have diagnosable and treatable mental disorders. Four out of 5 have significant co-morbid physical health problems. The wondering mentally ill lacks basic physical care. They are vulnerable to all kind of abuse including sexual (abuse).

Inmates invariably arrive with festering wounds (sometimes stones are thrown at them). Many have been sexually abused, they are covered in soot and grime, wear filthy cloths and have matted maggot infected hair. They are mentally unstable and physically unfit. There condition is more a comment on 'how mad' the world can be!

There are three aliments that come with the baggage of stigma attached.

  • HIV/AIDS

  • LEPROSY

  • MENTAL ILLNESS

 

Great strides have been made in eradicating leprosy. Problem of HIV/AIDS generates enough attention. Mental illness however remains orphaned!

"Disabilities inside the mind are difficult to sympathize with"


The most of the persons with mental illness are deprived of their basic human rights and right kind of treatment not only medical but social also.

Perhaps, mental health is failed to get enough attention in health sector in last six decades of independence as compare to physical illness. The persons with mental illness are highly stigmatized and discriminated in society in all sphere of life.

Accounting to World Health Report around 450 million people suffer from mental or behavioral disorder. Yet only small minorities of them receive even the most basic treatment.

On the other hand mental and behavioral disorders are estimated to account for 12% of the global burden of disease and majority of the countries spends less than 1% of their health budget for mental health.

In India there are 42 mental hospitals in the country with the bed availability of 20,893 in Government sector.


In the private sector there are 5096 beds.


These facilities have to manage and estimated 1,02,70,165 of peoples with sever mental illness and 5,12,51,625 of people with common mental disorders needing immediate attention (Janardhan and Biotype Deka Report).


Human Rights and Mental illness


Enjoyment of the human right to health is vital to all aspects of a person’s life and well being and social to the realisation of many other fundamental human rights. In article 25 (1) that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services.

This inclusion of "Health" and "Medical Care" in the UDHR has led to an Article each in the ESCR Covenant (Article 12).

Let's Make A Change

Here are some ways you can donate:

Donate

In Person

Online

Make a tax deductible donation‏.

Over the Phone

bottom of page