Udupi: 14 % of Indian Population needs Psychiatric Care; Dr Ashok Pai

By Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 16 Jun 2013: Two percent of population of India is suffering from scattered minds, 4 percent are suffering from fear, anxiety, depression, 4 percent are suffering from personality disorders and 2 percent are suffering from brain related ailments.  A total of 14 percent, that is 15 to 16 crore population out of 110 crore Indian population need psychiatric treatment, said state mental health task force chairman Dr Ashok Pai.

 

 

Addressing the media persons during the press meet held at Manipal, here on Saturday June 15, Dr Ashok said that as per WHO report depression and suicidal tendencies, drug abuse and diseases leading to physical disability are on first and second places among 10 major diseases, said Dr Ashok.  He further said that of late the suicide rates are increasing among youngsters and those addicted to drugs in Bangalore.  If this trend continues, Bangalore would become the suicidal capital, Dr Ashok expressed deep concern.

 

The hospital in several districts that has 15 lac population lack psychiatric facility.  Karnataka has just 180 psychiatrists.  The state has set up mental health task force with the key objective of mandatorily introduce sex education in high schools, to train teacher to care for physically challenged and differently abled students, to set up alcohol de-addiction and drug rehabilitation centers, to open rehabilitation centers for long suffering mentally ill patients with a capacity to house 50 inmates, to open special schools for mentally challenged, said Dr Ashok.

 

The zilla panchayat CEO Vijay Kumar Shetty, district surgeon Dr Anand Nayak, psychiatrist Dr Vasudev, taluk medical officer Dr Nagaratna were present at the press meet.