Mental illness is neglected

The people with mental illness should be brought under the mainstream population

It is worrying to note that although the number of people suffering from mental illness is rising in the country, their proper medical care is being disrupted as the mental health sector has been confronted with problems including acute shortage of skilled manpower and resources. According to a report in this newspaper on Saturday, mental disorders constitute a major public health problem globally with higher burden in low and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. A new survey of the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) reveals that about 31 per cent adult people of the country suffer from any form of mental illness, which is almost double than the previous survey conducted in 2005.
 It is a grim reality that a person with mental disorders is looked upon as a burden on the family and the society. He or she is treated shabbily and becomes victim of torture, harassment, neglect and scorn in the family and everywhere he/she goes. It is very unfortunate that these people are bearing the brunt of the malady they are not responsible for. A little bit of sympathy that can be a solace for them is a rare thing for them.    
 Mentally ill people have also right to live with dignity in the society. But what measure has been taken to ensure it? There are political leaders and government high-ups who utter platitudes on various national days but those are hardly translated into action. What is needed is concrete measures to lessen the sufferings of the mentally ill persons. There should be a culture of empathy for them. They must be treated sympathetically and humanly.
 Mental illness is not a curse as some superstitious people think it to be, nor the mentally deranged people are burden on their families, society or the state if they are groomed up as productive force. In rural areas they are taken to quacks, faith healers and charlatans instead of physicians for treatment who aggravate their problems further. If proper environment is created the mentally disordered persons can also contribute to the country’s development activities. The total outlook about the mentally handicapped people should be changed. 
The people with mental disorders should be brought under the mainstream population. They also need proper infrastructural support. The government, particularly the health ministry, social welfare ministry and the departments concerned, should solve the problems facing the mentally handicapped people. Massive public awareness should be generated in this regard. 

 

Mental illness is neglected

The people with mental illness should be brought under the mainstream population

It is worrying to note that although the number of people suffering from mental illness is rising in the country, their proper medical care is being disrupted as the mental health sector has been confronted with problems including acute shortage of skilled manpower and resources. According to a report in this newspaper on Saturday, mental disorders constitute a major public health problem globally with higher burden in low and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. A new survey of the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) reveals that about 31 per cent adult people of the country suffer from any form of mental illness, which is almost double than the previous survey conducted in 2005. It is a grim reality that a person with mental disorders is looked upon as a burden on the family and the society. He or she is treated shabbily and becomes victim of torture, harassment, neglect and scorn in the family and everywhere he/she goes. It is very unfortunate that these people are bearing the brunt of the malady they are not responsible for. A little bit of sympathy that can be a solace for them is a rare thing for them. Mentally ill people have also right to live with dignity in the society. But what measure has been taken to ensure it? There are political leaders and government high-ups who utter platitudes on various national days but those are hardly translated into action. What is needed is concrete measures to lessen the sufferings of the mentally ill persons. There should be a culture of empathy for them. They must be treated sympathetically and humanly. Mental illness is not a curse as some superstitious people think it to be, nor the mentally deranged people are burden on their families, society or the state if they are groomed up as productive force. In rural areas they are taken to quacks, faith healers and charlatans instead of physicians for treatment who aggravate their problems further. If proper environment is created the mentally disordered persons can also contribute to the countrys development activities. The total outlook about the mentally handicapped people should be changed. The people with mental disorders should be brought under the mainstream population. They also need proper infrastructural support. The government, particularly the health ministry, social welfare ministry and the departments concerned, should solve the problems facing the mentally handicapped people. Massive public awareness should be generated in this regard.