Mental health conditions and disorders are no longer hush-hush, the stigma and discrimination is slowly being removed and accepted. People now understand that these are not just passing trends or fleeting phases that will fade with time, it requires attention, care, and financial resources, much like any other medical, legal, or commercial consultation that not only impacts individuals, but also families, communities and work efficiency. It is no lie that mental health conditions are on the rise and preventive and timely care is required, which if not provided or taken will lead to reduced quality of life and contribute to burdening the individual and the society.
Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)
Understanding Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and how mental health conditions have played a part in its contribution. DALYs provide a comprehensive estimate of the overall burden of disease by combining years lived with disability and years lost due to early death due to the disorder. When it comes to mental health, DALYs measure the number of years that people experience a lower quality of life as a result of disorders like schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, depression, and more. This measure emphasizes the long-term effects on people, families, and society along with the immediate health impacts.
Impact of mental health disorders on individuals and their family
The statistics acknowledge that mental disorders have become a public health problem, affecting millions worldwide. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, intellectual deficiencies; can happen to any individual just like me and you, it could be anyone who struggles daily and fights battles striving for stability, good relationship, focus and overall well-being. Naturally with these diagnoses the society attaches tags to these individuals extending and adding onto the burden beyond personal struggles, influencing their relationships, reducing their productivity, and overall quality of life.
Individuals may experience persistent sadness, fear, or confusion, hindering their ability to lead fulfilling lives. Relationships may suffer as communication and emotional connection become strained. Social stigma further compounds these challenges, often leading to feelings of isolation and shame. Death by suicide, especially among young adults, who are suffering alone and are unable to express themselves, leaving behind a life lost and a family grieving this lost forever.
With how the times have changed and become now, the easy access and availability to everything, the increase in social media use, high screen time, comparison with influencers, lack of physical activity, more indoor hours, late night working hours, violent video games, movies, consumption of junk food and sugar cravings, so much more. All these contribute massively to our decreasing quality of mental health and physical well-being.
Challenges in the treatment
Financial burden – any psychological condition demands a long term of a minimum of 2-6 months, for severe disorder; it may range from a year or two to even a lifetime of medicational treatment. These could include a psychiatrist doctor’s weekly/monthly visits. The cost of the medication is separate. Therapy sessions as well, they are a must, it is helpful and effective for the long run but it requires commitment, dedication and deliberate efforts to make and bring changes. These therapy sessions too can be weekly and expensive. If one wants to seek help, these will act as hurdles or setbacks for the ones who can’t afford it.
Stigma and discrimination still however continues, where one side of the society have the luxury of taking a mental health day off, there is a larger sector of them who don’t have that privilege nor an understanding that they are struggling and can thrive and contribute much more if they get the right help.
Healthcare policies and insurance – even now there hasn’t been any progress or development towards including mental health facilities in insurance coverage. If just like other health conditions, there would be policies protecting the ones seeking help, it will not only give them relief but will also help push others to take help.
Despite all these roadblocks, there are ways to get help !!
You are not alone, there are ways you can ask for help for yourself and your beloved one. If you see anyone struggling then please know that there are services and hope for everyone going through this tough time.
You can take proactive steps like taking self-assessments through which you can come to know if you require professional intervention. Free self-assessments are available in our application – Lets get Happi. Our first session is free as well, you can connect to our doctors and therapist to understand yourself better and flourish to become your best potential self.