Mental health around the world
Rao, K.S.
Journal of the Indian Medical Association 99(4): 214-216; 218-219
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5847 PMID: 11666027 Document Number: 531232
The World Health Day, the 7th April, 2001, has been devoted to mental health. An estimated 400 million people alive today suffer from mental disorders or psychological problems. All people have continued to discriminate against the sufferers. But simply we have the means to treat them. Depressive disorders, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, alcohol dependence are related to mental health. Treatment of alcohol dependence can be carried out in community settings in most cases. There are about 11 million people of Alzheimer's disease who put enormous burden on families. Increasing the knowledge of the disease is of paramount help. A vast majority of epilepsy patients remain untreated which is the main problem in developing countries. Depressive disorders can be well tackled by antidepressant drugs and psychological interventions. Overall the treatment of mental disorder should be appropriate to the disorder and take account the individual's situation.