During US President Donald Trump's visit to India on February 24 and 25, both countries signed three agreements in health and oil sectors. 
 
In a noteworthy gesture, the health departments of both countries sealed a pact&nbsp;to deal with mental health challenges through innovative measures.

The agreement will enable India to learn from the experience of the US in treating mental health issues. It will also facilitate greater access to traditional Indian medicines and therapies to treat mental health challenges in America.

World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that more than 300 million people suffer from depression across the world. It has further stated that there is one death by suicide every 40 seconds and each year more than 800,000 people end their own lives.&nbsp;

Furthermore, the National Mental Health Survey, 2016, conducted across 12 Indian states, has stated that 150 million persons are in need of mental health interventions and care.

According to a report, the US suicide rate increased on average by about 1 per cent a year from 2000 through 2006 and by 2 per cent a year from 2006 through 2016.

It's heartening to see that governments, people and organisations across the globe have acknowledged the challenges related to&nbsp;mental health. In 2018, the UK government had appointed Loneliness Minister for cross-government work on loneliness.

Moreover, fund allocations also have to be increased. Funds allocated to the National Mental Health Programme were not increased in the Union Budget for FY 2020. It was brought down to Rs 40 crore from Rs 50 crore in FY2018.&nbsp;

Also, more trained psychiatrists and psychologists should be made available at government health care centres to meet WHO prescribed norms so that people can avail mental health treatment at a cheaper cost.

Mental illness, like any other disease, does not discriminate. It affects all age groups, children, youth, elderly people. To tackle depression, loneliness and anxiety, it's important to deal with the illness at home, offices, schools and colleges. 
 
Other countries should also learn from this collaboration between the world's two largest democracies to deal with mental health challenges, and come together to tackle mental illness. 
 
Governments must, through there policies including programmes, educate people and organisations about the effects of mental health problems. Globally, we need to increase our efforts to tackle mental health problems.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

During US President Donald Trump's visit to India on February 24 and 25, both countries signed three agreements in health and oil sectors. In a noteworthy gesture, the health departments of both countries sealed a pact to deal with mental health challenges through innovative measures.

During US President Donald Trump's visit to India on February 24 and 25, both countries signed three agreements in health and oil sectors. In a noteworthy gesture, the health departments of both countries sealed a pact to deal with mental health challenges through innovative measures. The agreement will enable India to learn from the experience of the US in treating mental health issues. It will also facilitate greater access to traditional Indian medicines and therapies to treat mental health challenges in America. World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that more than 300 million people suffer from depression across the world. It has further stated that there is one death by suicide every 40 seconds and each year more than 800,000 people end their own lives. Furthermore, the National Mental Health Survey, 2016, conducted across 12 Indian states, has stated that 150 million persons are in need of mental health interventions and care. According to a report, the US suicide rate increased on average by about 1 per cent a year from 2000 through 2006 and by 2 per cent a year from 2006 through 2016. It's heartening to see that governments, people and organisations across the globe have acknowledged the challenges related to mental health. In 2018, the UK government had appointed Loneliness Minister for cross-government work on loneliness. Moreover, fund allocations also have to be increased. Funds allocated to the National Mental Health Programme were not increased in the Union Budget for FY 2020. It was brought down to Rs 40 crore from Rs 50 crore in FY2018. Also, more trained psychiatrists and psychologists should be made available at government health care centres to meet WHO prescribed norms so that people can avail mental health treatment at a cheaper cost. Mental illness, like any other disease, does not discriminate. It affects all age groups, children, youth, elderly people. To tackle depression, loneliness and anxiety, it's important to deal with the illness at home, offices, schools and colleges. Other countries should also learn from this collaboration between the world's two largest democracies to deal with mental health challenges, and come together to tackle mental illness. Governments must, through there policies including programmes, educate people and organisations about the effects of mental health problems. Globally, we need to increase our efforts to tackle mental health problems. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

India-US agreement on mental health is highly praiseworthy

Football legend Pele is experiencing "a kind of depression" and barely leaves home anymore because health problems have left him unable to walk normally, his son said in an interview published Monday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/peles-last-number-10-brazil-jersey-sold-for-30000-euros-in-italy-266670">Pele's last Number 10 Brazil jersey sold for 30,000 euros in Italy</a>

"He's pretty fragile in terms of his mobility... and that makes him suffer a kind of depression," Edinho said of his 79-year-old father, who has had a series of health problems in recent years.

"Just imagine, he's the 'King,' he was always such an imposing figure, and now he can't walk normally. He gets very shy, very embarrassed about that," his son said in an interview published on the sports news site Globoesporte.com.

Pele, the pride of Brazilian football and the only player to win three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970), is considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time.

He has been in and out of the hospital in recent years for various health issues.

He never fully recovered from one of his hip operations, leaving him dependent on a walker, Edinho said.

"He's doing a bit better than when he was in a wheelchair recently, but he still has a hard time getting around," said Edinho, 49.

Pele's public appearances have grown increasingly rare with age.

Last April he travelled to Paris for a promotional appearance with French rising star Kylian Mbappe but had to be hospitalized shortly after for kidney problems.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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I met Kylian Mbappe and his parents last night in Paris at <a href="https://twitter.com/Hublot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Hublot</a> event. We talked goals, World Cups and watches. Great company! /Estive com <a href="https://twitter.com/KMbappe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KMbappe</a> e seus pais ontem à noite, durante um evento da <a href="https://twitter.com/Hublot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Hublot</a> em Paris. Falamos sobre gols, Copas do Mundo e relógios. Grande encontro! <a href="https://t.co/U63hLWy0mV">pic.twitter.com/U63hLWy0mV</a>
— Pelé (@Pele) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pele/status/1113403869416050688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In 2014, he was placed in intensive care for dialysis after contracting a severe urinary infection.

The Brazilian great, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, has only one kidney, after a broken rib during a match forced doctors to remove the other.

He has also suffered a series of hip problems.

Edinho said despite those issues his father is "doing well" physically.

Football legend Pele is experiencing "a kind of depression" and barely leaves home anymore because health problems have left him unable to walk normally, his son said in an interview published Monday.

Football legend Pele is experiencing "a kind of depression" and barely leaves home anymore because health problems have left him unable to walk normally, his son said in an interview published Monday. Also read: Pele's last Number 10 Brazil jersey sold for 30,000 euros in Italy "He's pretty fragile in terms of his mobility... and that makes him suffer a kind of depression," Edinho said of his 79-year-old father, who has had a series of health problems in recent years. "Just imagine, he's the 'King,' he was always such an imposing figure, and now he can't walk normally. He gets very shy, very embarrassed about that," his son said in an interview published on the sports news site Globoesporte.com. Pele, the pride of Brazilian football and the only player to win three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970), is considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time. He has been in and out of the hospital in recent years for various health issues. He never fully recovered from one of his hip operations, leaving him dependent on a walker, Edinho said. "He's doing a bit better than when he was in a wheelchair recently, but he still has a hard time getting around," said Edinho, 49. Pele's public appearances have grown increasingly rare with age. Last April he travelled to Paris for a promotional appearance with French rising star Kylian Mbappe but had to be hospitalized shortly after for kidney problems. I met Kylian Mbappe and his parents last night in Paris at @Hublot event. We talked goals, World Cups and watches. Great company! /Estive com @KMbappe e seus pais ontem à noite, durante um evento da @Hublot em Paris. Falamos sobre gols, Copas do Mundo e relógios. Grande encontro! pic.twitter.com/U63hLWy0mV — Pelé (@Pele) April 3, 2019 × In 2014, he was placed in intensive care for dialysis after contracting a severe urinary infection. The Brazilian great, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, has only one kidney, after a broken rib during a match forced doctors to remove the other. He has also suffered a series of hip problems. Edinho said despite those issues his father is "doing well" physically.

Pele depressed, reclusive due to poor health, says son

Indian actress Deepika Padukone, who has been an advocate of mental health awareness and has been extensively working towards de-stigmatising mental illness, was rewarded for her work at World Economic Forum's Crystal Award ceremony, held in Davos on January 20. The actress was presented the award by Hilde Schwab, Chairwoman and co-founder of the World Economic Forum's World Art's Forum. Deepika Padukone runs the Live Love Laugh Foundation, which aims to help those struggling with their mental health. She came out in 2015 as having battled depression.

Deepika Padukone rewarded for her work at World Economic Forum in Davos

About one in seven persons in India suffered from mental disorders of varying severity in 2017, with depression and anxiety disorders being the most common mental disorders affecting 45.7 million and 44.9 million people each in the country, noted the findings of a first comprehensive study done by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on disease burden due to mental disorders in India.

The research has shown that there is a significant increase in the incidence of mental health disorders in India over the years.

The ICMR findings have clearly noted that approximate 197 million persons, roughly one in seven Indians, suffered from any kind of mental disorders of the year 2017.

These include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, idiopathic developmental intellectual disability, conduct disorders, and autism. "We found that depression is highest in older adults which has significant implications for the ageing population of India. Depression contributed 33.8 per cent of all mental disorder, followed by anxiety disorders (19.0 per cent), idiopathic developmental intellectual disability (10.8 per cent), and schizophrenia (9.8 per cent)," Prof Balram Bhargav, Director General, ICMR informed ANI.

As depression is associated with suicide deaths in India it is our big concern to tackle it and with this association, we found out that it is slightly stronger in females than in males, (Prof) Bhargava added.

The study is now published in the latest issue of The Lancet Psychiatry journal under the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative of ICMR and Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI).

"The prevalence of mental disorders has doubled between 1990 and 2017. To understand the burden of mental health, we have studied all available data sources from India to bring in this state-specific scientific paper on mental health problems in India," Prof Lalit Dandona, Director of the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative told ANI.

Among the mental disorders that during childhood and adolescence, the prevalence for idiopathic developmental intellectual disability was 4.5 per cent, conduct disorder 0.80 per cent, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder 0.42 per cent, and autism spectrum disorders 0.35 per cent, findings noted.

Dr Rajesh Sagar, lead author of the story and Professor of psychiatric at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said,&nbsp;"Mental illnesses is rising in India at a tremendous rate. It is the need of the hour to upgrade mental health services, create awareness, remove social stigma and generate access to treatment."

"Parents and children should be educated. In the study, we have noted that the prevalence of childhood and adolescent mental disorders was higher in the less developed northern states, and that of the mental disorders during adulthood higher in the more developed southern states," he said.

About one in seven persons in India suffered from mental disorders of varying severity in 2017, with depression and anxiety disorders being the most common mental disorders affecting 45.

About one in seven persons in India suffered from mental disorders of varying severity in 2017, with depression and anxiety disorders being the most common mental disorders affecting 45.7 million and 44.9 million people each in the country, noted the findings of a first comprehensive study done by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on disease burden due to mental disorders in India. The research has shown that there is a significant increase in the incidence of mental health disorders in India over the years. The ICMR findings have clearly noted that approximate 197 million persons, roughly one in seven Indians, suffered from any kind of mental disorders of the year 2017. These include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, idiopathic developmental intellectual disability, conduct disorders, and autism. "We found that depression is highest in older adults which has significant implications for the ageing population of India. Depression contributed 33.8 per cent of all mental disorder, followed by anxiety disorders (19.0 per cent), idiopathic developmental intellectual disability (10.8 per cent), and schizophrenia (9.8 per cent)," Prof Balram Bhargav, Director General, ICMR informed ANI. As depression is associated with suicide deaths in India it is our big concern to tackle it and with this association, we found out that it is slightly stronger in females than in males, (Prof) Bhargava added. The study is now published in the latest issue of The Lancet Psychiatry journal under the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative of ICMR and Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI). "The prevalence of mental disorders has doubled between 1990 and 2017. To understand the burden of mental health, we have studied all available data sources from India to bring in this state-specific scientific paper on mental health problems in India," Prof Lalit Dandona, Director of the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative told ANI. Among the mental disorders that during childhood and adolescence, the prevalence for idiopathic developmental intellectual disability was 4.5 per cent, conduct disorder 0.80 per cent, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder 0.42 per cent, and autism spectrum disorders 0.35 per cent, findings noted. Dr Rajesh Sagar, lead author of the story and Professor of psychiatric at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said, "Mental illnesses is rising in India at a tremendous rate. It is the need of the hour to upgrade mental health services, create awareness, remove social stigma and generate access to treatment." "Parents and children should be educated. In the study, we have noted that the prevalence of childhood and adolescent mental disorders was higher in the less developed northern states, and that of the mental disorders during adulthood higher in the more developed southern states," he said.

One in seven suffers from mental disorder in India: Indian Council of Medical Research study

Bella Hadid who recently walked the ramp for Rihanna's Savage x Fenty show says she felt more powerful&nbsp;doing the show as compared to her previous Victoria's Secret Fashion Show stints. 
 
"Rihanna's amazing. For me, that was the first time on a runway that I felt really sexy," Hadid said on Friday at the Vogue Fashion Festival in Paris, via WWD, reported a new agency. 
 
"Because when I first did Fenty, I was doing other lingerie shows and I never felt powerful on a runway, like, in my underwear," added the 23-year-old model who has become a force in the fashion world, modeling for top designers and headlining significant campaigns. 
 
"I like being another character. I think at this point I don't necessarily love being myself sometimes," Hadid, who donned a golden lingerie ensemble for the show, said. 
 
"Sometimes on the runway, you get either nervous or you forget how your legs move." Hadid also opened up about mental health and struggling with depression amid her busy career. 
 
"For a while, I just didn't want to talk about it, and I've gone through a lot in the past few years with my health," Hadid said. "I feel guilty for being able to live this incredible life, have the opportunities that I do, but somehow still be depressed. It doesn't make sense". 
 
"I would cry every single morning, I would cry during my lunch breaks, I would cry before I slept. I was very emotionally unstable for a while when I was working 14-hour days for four months straight as an 18-year-old," she shared. 
 
"I think I just wanted to breathe a little bit. And so it kind of put me in a spiral."

Bella Hadid who recently walked the ramp for Rihanna's Savage x Fenty show says she felt more powerful doing the show as compared to her previous Victoria's Secret Fashion Show stints.

Bella Hadid who recently walked the ramp for Rihanna's Savage x Fenty show says she felt more powerful doing the show as compared to her previous Victoria's Secret Fashion Show stints. "Rihanna's amazing. For me, that was the first time on a runway that I felt really sexy," Hadid said on Friday at the Vogue Fashion Festival in Paris, via WWD, reported a new agency. "Because when I first did Fenty, I was doing other lingerie shows and I never felt powerful on a runway, like, in my underwear," added the 23-year-old model who has become a force in the fashion world, modeling for top designers and headlining significant campaigns. "I like being another character. I think at this point I don't necessarily love being myself sometimes," Hadid, who donned a golden lingerie ensemble for the show, said. "Sometimes on the runway, you get either nervous or you forget how your legs move." Hadid also opened up about mental health and struggling with depression amid her busy career. "For a while, I just didn't want to talk about it, and I've gone through a lot in the past few years with my health," Hadid said. "I feel guilty for being able to live this incredible life, have the opportunities that I do, but somehow still be depressed. It doesn't make sense". "I would cry every single morning, I would cry during my lunch breaks, I would cry before I slept. I was very emotionally unstable for a while when I was working 14-hour days for four months straight as an 18-year-old," she shared. "I think I just wanted to breathe a little bit. And so it kind of put me in a spiral."

Bella Hadid talks about feeling powerful after walking ramp for Rihanna

Mental wellbeing as much as physical health is emerging as a key challenge for modern-day cricketers -- with relentless schedules, intense public scrutiny and the fear of failure weighing heavily.

The issue has been thrust into the spotlight in Australia, where three top players recently stepped aside for mental health reasons, with administrators scrambling to get on top of the problem.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/maxwells-confession-remarkable-sets-right-example-virat-kohli-261831">Glenn Maxwell</a>, one of the world's best short-format players, set the tone late last month by taking time away after "experiencing some difficulties with regards to his mental health".

Will Pucovski -- who had already taken two breaks to deal with similar issues -- and Nic Maddinson followed suit, just a week ahead of the first Test of the Australian summer against Pakistan.

The specifics of their cases are not known publicly, but Ben Oliver, Cricket Australia's head of national teams, said there were a number of factors he had noted, generally, since beginning his job this year.

"One of the early observations I've had in the role is the intense scrutiny and the relentless schedule that exists around cricket," he told SEN sports radio.

"From that perspective, there is an absolute need for us to invest time, energy, resources into understanding the challenges that exist for players and staff around mental health in that context, and making sure we do everything we can."

Test fast bowler Mitchell Starc attributed part of the blame on the modern players' gruelling schedule, with some top stars away from home for months at a time, putting strains on families and taxing friendships.

"You have your pressures around cricket, the schedules are pretty ridiculous these days," said Starc, who is promoting the "Movember" initiative, where moustaches are grown during November to highlight issues affecting men like mental health.

"The positive thing is that guys are feeling perhaps more comfortable, if you like, to be open and honest with how they're feeling," he added.&nbsp;

"In the past guys might have just kicked on and tried to get through things and it could have built up to something worse."

Robert Craddock, a respected cricket writer for News Corp. newspapers, noted that the sport was also very mentally challenging.

"Cricket may not be a physical contact sport but its mental challenges, with so much waiting time, are much tougher than they look," he wrote in a column Friday. "Most batsmen fail most of the time so the mental demands can be taxing."

It is not just an Australian issue.&nbsp;

Ex-England captain Marcus Trescothick quit a tour of India in 2006 and England opener Jonathan Trott left the 2013 Ashes series in Australia after one Test, with both later revealing they had struggled with stress and anxiety.

Superstar India skipper Virat Kohli said this week that he too had suffered and applauded someone of Maxwell's stature going public.

"It has set the right example for cricketers around the world that if you're not in the best frame of mind you try, and try and try, but as human beings you reach a tipping point at some stage or the other," he said ahead of India's first Test against Bangladesh in Indore.

"And you need time away from the game. Not to say you give up, but just to gain more clarity."

Kohli said he went through a difficult period during India's 2014 tour of England when runs dried up and he could not find anyone to confide in.

"I didn't know what to do, what to say to anyone, and how to speak and how to communicate," he said.

The problem for authorities is knowing what measures to introduce to best help players with their mental wellbeing.

Alex Kountouris, Cricket Australia's sports science and sports medicine manager, said the organisation was working hard to understand the causes better.

"There is much society still needs to learn in relation to mental health, but we know enough to say with great certainty that silence is not the answer," he said.

"Cricket Australia has committed to being open about the challenges faced in managing mental health. We are putting player wellbeing first and supporting them unconditionally."

Mental wellbeing as much as physical health is emerging as a key challenge for modern-day cricketers -- with relentless schedules, intense public scrutiny and the fear of failure weighing heavily.

Mental wellbeing as much as physical health is emerging as a key challenge for modern-day cricketers -- with relentless schedules, intense public scrutiny and the fear of failure weighing heavily. The issue has been thrust into the spotlight in Australia, where three top players recently stepped aside for mental health reasons, with administrators scrambling to get on top of the problem. Glenn Maxwell, one of the world's best short-format players, set the tone late last month by taking time away after "experiencing some difficulties with regards to his mental health". Will Pucovski -- who had already taken two breaks to deal with similar issues -- and Nic Maddinson followed suit, just a week ahead of the first Test of the Australian summer against Pakistan. The specifics of their cases are not known publicly, but Ben Oliver, Cricket Australia's head of national teams, said there were a number of factors he had noted, generally, since beginning his job this year. "One of the early observations I've had in the role is the intense scrutiny and the relentless schedule that exists around cricket," he told SEN sports radio. "From that perspective, there is an absolute need for us to invest time, energy, resources into understanding the challenges that exist for players and staff around mental health in that context, and making sure we do everything we can." Test fast bowler Mitchell Starc attributed part of the blame on the modern players' gruelling schedule, with some top stars away from home for months at a time, putting strains on families and taxing friendships. "You have your pressures around cricket, the schedules are pretty ridiculous these days," said Starc, who is promoting the "Movember" initiative, where moustaches are grown during November to highlight issues affecting men like mental health. "The positive thing is that guys are feeling perhaps more comfortable, if you like, to be open and honest with how they're feeling," he added. "In the past guys might have just kicked on and tried to get through things and it could have built up to something worse." Robert Craddock, a respected cricket writer for News Corp. newspapers, noted that the sport was also very mentally challenging. "Cricket may not be a physical contact sport but its mental challenges, with so much waiting time, are much tougher than they look," he wrote in a column Friday. "Most batsmen fail most of the time so the mental demands can be taxing." It is not just an Australian issue. Ex-England captain Marcus Trescothick quit a tour of India in 2006 and England opener Jonathan Trott left the 2013 Ashes series in Australia after one Test, with both later revealing they had struggled with stress and anxiety. Superstar India skipper Virat Kohli said this week that he too had suffered and applauded someone of Maxwell's stature going public. "It has set the right example for cricketers around the world that if you're not in the best frame of mind you try, and try and try, but as human beings you reach a tipping point at some stage or the other," he said ahead of India's first Test against Bangladesh in Indore. "And you need time away from the game. Not to say you give up, but just to gain more clarity." Kohli said he went through a difficult period during India's 2014 tour of England when runs dried up and he could not find anyone to confide in. "I didn't know what to do, what to say to anyone, and how to speak and how to communicate," he said. The problem for authorities is knowing what measures to introduce to best help players with their mental wellbeing. Alex Kountouris, Cricket Australia's sports science and sports medicine manager, said the organisation was working hard to understand the causes better. "There is much society still needs to learn in relation to mental health, but we know enough to say with great certainty that silence is not the answer," he said. "Cricket Australia has committed to being open about the challenges faced in managing mental health. We are putting player wellbeing first and supporting them unconditionally."

Cricketers' mental health thrown into the spotlight

India skipper Virat Kohli has full support for Glenn Maxwell, who recently decided to take a break from cricket to deal with his mental health issues, saying that the Australian has set a right example for all the cricketers and called his confession remarkable.

"I think what Glenn has done is remarkable and he has set a right example for the cricketers all around the world that if you are not in the best frame of mind, you try, try and try but as human beings, you reach at a point when you need time away from the game," Kohli said in the pre-match press conference here on Wednesday.

Cricket Australia (CA) on October 31 announced Maxwell's decision to take a break from cricket. Kohli then recalled his own struggles saying that it felt like 'It was the end of the world'.

"To be very honest, everyone is focused on what they need to do. It is difficult for anyone to figure out what is going around in another person's mind. I have gone through a phase in my career where I felt like it was the end of the world. In England 2014, I did not know what to do and what to say to anyone and how to speak and how to communicate," he said.

"I could not have said I am not feeling great mentally and I need to get away from the game because you never know how it is taken. So, it think these things should be of great importance because if you think that a player is important enough for the team or Indian cricket to go forward. I think they should be looked after," he added. 
Kohli further stated that such disclosures do not mean that a player gave up but it is only to gain more clarity.

"Not like you give up but just to gain more clarity. In my opinion, it is quite acceptable and a nice thing to do. I think these things should be respected and not taken in a negative way at all because it is nothing to do with what you do on the field, it is just not having the capacity anymore to deal with things which I think can happen to any person," Kohli said.&nbsp;

India skipper Virat Kohli has full support for Glenn Maxwell, who recently decided to take a break from cricket to deal with his mental health issues, saying that the Australian has set a right example for all the cricketers and called his confession remarkable.

India skipper Virat Kohli has full support for Glenn Maxwell, who recently decided to take a break from cricket to deal with his mental health issues, saying that the Australian has set a right example for all the cricketers and called his confession remarkable. "I think what Glenn has done is remarkable and he has set a right example for the cricketers all around the world that if you are not in the best frame of mind, you try, try and try but as human beings, you reach at a point when you need time away from the game," Kohli said in the pre-match press conference here on Wednesday. Cricket Australia (CA) on October 31 announced Maxwell's decision to take a break from cricket. Kohli then recalled his own struggles saying that it felt like 'It was the end of the world'. "To be very honest, everyone is focused on what they need to do. It is difficult for anyone to figure out what is going around in another person's mind. I have gone through a phase in my career where I felt like it was the end of the world. In England 2014, I did not know what to do and what to say to anyone and how to speak and how to communicate," he said. "I could not have said I am not feeling great mentally and I need to get away from the game because you never know how it is taken. So, it think these things should be of great importance because if you think that a player is important enough for the team or Indian cricket to go forward. I think they should be looked after," he added. Kohli further stated that such disclosures do not mean that a player gave up but it is only to gain more clarity. "Not like you give up but just to gain more clarity. In my opinion, it is quite acceptable and a nice thing to do. I think these things should be respected and not taken in a negative way at all because it is nothing to do with what you do on the field, it is just not having the capacity anymore to deal with things which I think can happen to any person," Kohli said.

Maxwell's confession remarkable, sets right example: Virat Kohli

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is taking an indefinite break from cricket with immediate effect as he undergoes treatment for mental health issues, coach Justin Langer said.

Maxwell, who played in Australia's two T20 wins against Sri Lanka in recent days and starred in the Adelaide series-opener, will be replaced by batsman D'Arcy Short for the third and final match in Melbourne on Friday.

Langer said he had spoken to Maxwell after sensing something was amiss with the hard-hitting 31-year-old before the Adelaide game, Australia's first international of the home summer.

"I'm not sure what prompted (it) just before Adelaide," Langer told reporters in Melbourne.

"But you just could tell it was not quite right and he probably wasn't going to say (anything).

"Even though in Adelaide he had that incredible innings and fielded like a genius like he can, I don't think he got much joy out of it, to be honest."

A fan favourite and one of Australia's most devastating batsmen in short-format cricket, Maxwell was in fine touch at Adelaide Oval where he blasted 62 off 29 balls to hasten his team to a 134-run victory.

He was also his usual energetic presence in the field, effecting a brilliant run-out and engaging in banter with broadcasters.

"They often put on a mask," Langer said of people suffering mental health problems.

"In public positions, they have to put on a mask all the time. That's his armour, his energy and the way he plays."

Maxwell, who has played 110 one-day internationals and 61 T20Is, will be assessed in Melbourne over the next "day or so", Langer said.

Melbourne man Maxwell ranks among Australia's top-earning athletes, enjoying global prestige as a coveted gun-for-hire in domestic T20 competitions.

But his goal of breaking into the test side, seen as the pinnacle of the sport in Australia, has largely been frustrated.

He has been dropped several times in his career of seven tests and was snubbed for the Ashes series played in England over August-September. The hosts retained the urn.

While a number of local pundits felt selectors had dealt with Maxwell harshly, the cricketer said he had moved on.

"You can't play cricket bitter, it detracts from yourself and makes you stop concentrating on what you need to do," Maxwell said in a recent interview with Espncricinfo.

A number of top Australian cricketers have battled mental health problems in recent years.

Much-hyped talent Will Pucovski took a break from domestic cricket a year ago and also withdrew from the test squad in January to undergo treatment.

Three-test batsman Nic Maddinson also took time off in 2017 after being dropped from the test side before returning to the game after treatment.

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is taking an indefinite break from cricket with immediate effect as he undergoes treatment for mental health issues, coach Justin Langer said.

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is taking an indefinite break from cricket with immediate effect as he undergoes treatment for mental health issues, coach Justin Langer said. Maxwell, who played in Australia's two T20 wins against Sri Lanka in recent days and starred in the Adelaide series-opener, will be replaced by batsman D'Arcy Short for the third and final match in Melbourne on Friday. Langer said he had spoken to Maxwell after sensing something was amiss with the hard-hitting 31-year-old before the Adelaide game, Australia's first international of the home summer. "I'm not sure what prompted (it) just before Adelaide," Langer told reporters in Melbourne. "But you just could tell it was not quite right and he probably wasn't going to say (anything). "Even though in Adelaide he had that incredible innings and fielded like a genius like he can, I don't think he got much joy out of it, to be honest." A fan favourite and one of Australia's most devastating batsmen in short-format cricket, Maxwell was in fine touch at Adelaide Oval where he blasted 62 off 29 balls to hasten his team to a 134-run victory. He was also his usual energetic presence in the field, effecting a brilliant run-out and engaging in banter with broadcasters. "They often put on a mask," Langer said of people suffering mental health problems. "In public positions, they have to put on a mask all the time. That's his armour, his energy and the way he plays." Maxwell, who has played 110 one-day internationals and 61 T20Is, will be assessed in Melbourne over the next "day or so", Langer said. Melbourne man Maxwell ranks among Australia's top-earning athletes, enjoying global prestige as a coveted gun-for-hire in domestic T20 competitions. But his goal of breaking into the test side, seen as the pinnacle of the sport in Australia, has largely been frustrated. He has been dropped several times in his career of seven tests and was snubbed for the Ashes series played in England over August-September. The hosts retained the urn. While a number of local pundits felt selectors had dealt with Maxwell harshly, the cricketer said he had moved on. "You can't play cricket bitter, it detracts from yourself and makes you stop concentrating on what you need to do," Maxwell said in a recent interview with Espncricinfo. A number of top Australian cricketers have battled mental health problems in recent years. Much-hyped talent Will Pucovski took a break from domestic cricket a year ago and also withdrew from the test squad in January to undergo treatment. Three-test batsman Nic Maddinson also took time off in 2017 after being dropped from the test side before returning to the game after treatment.

Cricket: Australia's Glenn Maxwell battling mental health problems, takes break

“Mental” is the word people impose on someone when they hear that person has a learning disability. Because in literal terms they don't know “what exactly is learning disability”! You can call it a learning disability, learning disorder or learning difficulty which is still a social stigma. October is observed as Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. It is the way a person's brain is "wired" or you can also say when a person lacks certain skills. The child has difficulty in coding and decoding the science. If we talk about its forms, the most common ones are dyslexia (difficulty with words), dysgraphia (difficulty with handwriting), and dyscalculia (difficulty with calculations).

According to Occupational Therapist Dr Radha R Gourisariya who works for kids with special needs, the prevalence of specific learning disability is 15 per cent, out of which 12 per cent - dysgraphia, 11 per cent - dyslexia, and 10 per cent - dyscalculia.

She also shared that how she came across a student who wanted to be an automobile engineer but his parents wanted to drop his maths and science as CBSE has the provision to exempt it in 9th Grade.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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Inspiring, but saddening in a way, was the example of Manu Arora, who for her son turned into a special educator from fashion textile designer. Because instead of getting help, she received complaints from her son's school teachers. But other parents still refrain from coming out in open and accept that their kid has some difficulty. And then there are a different set of parents too who think that their kid should be away from the children with learning disabilities.&nbsp;

The right to education makes it mandatory to admit children with special needs in their school and have a special educator for them.

Radha shares that now the focus has been shifted on inclusion which is also helping students to cope up with their difficulties. In inclusion, they share the classrooms with students who are not diagnosed with any difficulty.

The “difficulty's existence” came out in open when Aamir Khan starrer "Taare Zameen Par" (titled Like Stars on Earth internationally) hit the box office that focused on dyslexia. The movie gives a message that it is not always that the child tends to avoid studies and is carefree, but there can be highly probable chances of the child suffering from something that he is not able to express. High time we as a society shun this taboo.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

&nbsp;

“Mental” is the word people impose on someone when they hear that person has a learning disability. Because in literal terms they don't know “what exactly is learning disability”!

“Mental” is the word people impose on someone when they hear that person has a learning disability. Because in literal terms they don't know “what exactly is learning disability”! You can call it a learning disability, learning disorder or learning difficulty which is still a social stigma. October is observed as Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. It is the way a person's brain is "wired" or you can also say when a person lacks certain skills. The child has difficulty in coding and decoding the science. If we talk about its forms, the most common ones are dyslexia (difficulty with words), dysgraphia (difficulty with handwriting), and dyscalculia (difficulty with calculations). According to Occupational Therapist Dr Radha R Gourisariya who works for kids with special needs, the prevalence of specific learning disability is 15 per cent, out of which 12 per cent - dysgraphia, 11 per cent - dyslexia, and 10 per cent - dyscalculia. She also shared that how she came across a student who wanted to be an automobile engineer but his parents wanted to drop his maths and science as CBSE has the provision to exempt it in 9th Grade. × Inspiring, but saddening in a way, was the example of Manu Arora, who for her son turned into a special educator from fashion textile designer. Because instead of getting help, she received complaints from her son's school teachers. But other parents still refrain from coming out in open and accept that their kid has some difficulty. And then there are a different set of parents too who think that their kid should be away from the children with learning disabilities. The right to education makes it mandatory to admit children with special needs in their school and have a special educator for them. Radha shares that now the focus has been shifted on inclusion which is also helping students to cope up with their difficulties. In inclusion, they share the classrooms with students who are not diagnosed with any difficulty. The “difficulty's existence” came out in open when Aamir Khan starrer "Taare Zameen Par" (titled Like Stars on Earth internationally) hit the box office that focused on dyslexia. The movie gives a message that it is not always that the child tends to avoid studies and is carefree, but there can be highly probable chances of the child suffering from something that he is not able to express. High time we as a society shun this taboo. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Not every kid gets a teacher like Aamir Khan in 'Taare Zameen Par'

Mental illness, like any other disease, does not discriminate. It affects all age groups, children, youth, elderly people. Even rich and famous&nbsp;are not immune to depression and loneliness.

As per WHO figures, 8 lakh people end up committing suicide every year. It is found that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in India,

World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that more than 300 million people suffer from depression across the world. The report also emphasised the need for more investment in mental health care.

Social isolation, due to a change in lifestyle or other unforeseen circumstances, can severely impact mental well-being. A strong need, therefore, exists to motivate and counsel affected people to have meaningful social relationships.&nbsp;

The National Mental Health Survey, 2016, conducted across 12 Indian states, has stated that 150 million persons are in need of mental health interventions and care.

Also, it is a matter of concern that India lacks a sufficient number of mental health professionals. More trained psychiatrists and psychologists are required at government health care centres across the country to meet WHO prescribed norms.&nbsp;

Government, people and organisations are finally discussing ways to deal with mental illness.

In India, people are now willing to reach out, both to be heard and to lend an ear. Lending moral support to the general public, even celebrities are coming out with their experiences in order to create awareness about mental health.

Internet, mobile apps should be used to create awareness and provide help to people who want to be anonymous while reaching out for assistance and information.

To go further, focused programmes should be developed for suicide prevention, anxiety and stress reduction, both on the national level and in every state.

Mental health remains a taboo in India, and thus, support groups, NGOs, family and friends should motivate people to share their mental health issues openly and confidently.

According to the data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), every hour, one student commits suicide. Like all of us, children too find it difficult to overcome negative emotions, stress and depression.&nbsp;

Delhi government has launched 'Happiness Curriculum' for students of nursery to class 8.&nbsp;

The curriculum introduced by the Delhi government would play an important role in improving physical and mental well being of the children -motivating them to embrace positive behaviour and thinking. This would also help them face emotional setbacks and handle success in a more balanced way.&nbsp;

Therefore, schools across the country should think about adopting the 'Happiness Curriculum'.

 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Mental illness, like any other disease, does not discriminate. It affects all age groups, children, youth, elderly people. Even rich and famous are not immune to depression and loneliness.

Mental illness, like any other disease, does not discriminate. It affects all age groups, children, youth, elderly people. Even rich and famous are not immune to depression and loneliness. As per WHO figures, 8 lakh people end up committing suicide every year. It is found that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in India, World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that more than 300 million people suffer from depression across the world. The report also emphasised the need for more investment in mental health care. Social isolation, due to a change in lifestyle or other unforeseen circumstances, can severely impact mental well-being. A strong need, therefore, exists to motivate and counsel affected people to have meaningful social relationships. The National Mental Health Survey, 2016, conducted across 12 Indian states, has stated that 150 million persons are in need of mental health interventions and care. Also, it is a matter of concern that India lacks a sufficient number of mental health professionals. More trained psychiatrists and psychologists are required at government health care centres across the country to meet WHO prescribed norms. Government, people and organisations are finally discussing ways to deal with mental illness. In India, people are now willing to reach out, both to be heard and to lend an ear. Lending moral support to the general public, even celebrities are coming out with their experiences in order to create awareness about mental health. Internet, mobile apps should be used to create awareness and provide help to people who want to be anonymous while reaching out for assistance and information. To go further, focused programmes should be developed for suicide prevention, anxiety and stress reduction, both on the national level and in every state. Mental health remains a taboo in India, and thus, support groups, NGOs, family and friends should motivate people to share their mental health issues openly and confidently. According to the data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), every hour, one student commits suicide. Like all of us, children too find it difficult to overcome negative emotions, stress and depression. Delhi government has launched 'Happiness Curriculum' for students of nursery to class 8. The curriculum introduced by the Delhi government would play an important role in improving physical and mental well being of the children -motivating them to embrace positive behaviour and thinking. This would also help them face emotional setbacks and handle success in a more balanced way. Therefore, schools across the country should think about adopting the 'Happiness Curriculum'. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

We need more openness and conversations surrounding mental health

American singer Aaron Carter has said that he is undergoing treatment and has sold his firearms. 
 
Just days after his two siblings announced they were seeking a restraining order against the singer, the 31-year-old singer told TMZ on Wednesday that he no longer owns any firearms and has been working with health professionals to get off medicines. 
 
"I sold all of my guns yesterday," Carter told the gossip site, cited Fox News, while showing the cameraman the sales records. But when he was asked if he will buy any firearms in the future, he replied, "That`s no one`s business." 
 
The `I Want Candy` singer also told TMZ that he doesn`t feel like talking about his family anymore and that he hasn`t taken any Xanax for five days. He also claimed he has a "lot of TV shows coming up at me right now." 
 
The L.A. County Sheriff`s Office told Fox News last week that Aaron surrendered two of his firearms to their officers. 
 
Aaron, his twin sister Angel and older brother Nick are engaged in an ongoing feud. Angel and Nick called Aaron`s claim that their late sister, Leslie, sexually abused him when he was underage "completely false" and "fabricated."&nbsp;

American singer Aaron Carter has said that he is undergoing treatment and has sold his firearms. Just days after his two siblings announced they were seeking a restraining order against the singer, the 31-year-old singer told TMZ on Wednesday that he no longer owns any firearms and has been working with health professionals to get off medicines.

American singer Aaron Carter has said that he is undergoing treatment and has sold his firearms. Just days after his two siblings announced they were seeking a restraining order against the singer, the 31-year-old singer told TMZ on Wednesday that he no longer owns any firearms and has been working with health professionals to get off medicines. "I sold all of my guns yesterday," Carter told the gossip site, cited Fox News, while showing the cameraman the sales records. But when he was asked if he will buy any firearms in the future, he replied, "That`s no one`s business." The `I Want Candy` singer also told TMZ that he doesn`t feel like talking about his family anymore and that he hasn`t taken any Xanax for five days. He also claimed he has a "lot of TV shows coming up at me right now." The L.A. County Sheriff`s Office told Fox News last week that Aaron surrendered two of his firearms to their officers. Aaron, his twin sister Angel and older brother Nick are engaged in an ongoing feud. Angel and Nick called Aaron`s claim that their late sister, Leslie, sexually abused him when he was underage "completely false" and "fabricated."

Aaron Carter says he's is undergoing medical treatment, sold firearms

Deepika Padukone, who suffered anxiety and depression in the past, launched her first lecture series on mental health here on Sunday in New Delhi. 
 
"It`s been four years to Live Love Laugh Foundation and today we launched our first lecture series and I think we have come a long way," said the 33-year-old actor. 
 
Talking about her biggest struggle with the issue, the actor said, "I think the conversation has really opened up and there is less stigma (about mental health) then there used to be four years ago, but certainly we have a long way to go in terms of awareness and that`s why we really need to keep the conversation alive."&nbsp; 
 
Deepika, who is the founder of Live Love Laugh Foundation, thanked the media fraternity for their role in starting the "conversation about mental health."

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"I think as far as the conversation about mental health is concerned, we have come a long way. And I think media has a huge role to play in that. Especially by opening up the conversation in various ways, whether through interviews, write-ups or articles", she said. 
 
Further talking about her latest initiative of commencing a 'lecture series' on mental health, the ` Bajirao Mastani` actor said, "The lecture series is to invite people from different profession from various parts of the world. Most importantly the people who are passionate about mental health and have us to talk about their journey and experience."&nbsp; 
 
The lecture series was attended by Deepika's parents, Prakash and Ujjala Padukone and her sister Anisha. Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore was also spotted at the do.

Deepika Padukone, who suffered anxiety and depression in the past, launched her first lecture series on mental health here on Sunday in New Delhi. "It`s been four years to Live Love Laugh Foundation and today we launched our first lecture series and I think we have come a long way," said the 33-year-old actor.

Deepika Padukone, who suffered anxiety and depression in the past, launched her first lecture series on mental health here on Sunday in New Delhi. "It`s been four years to Live Love Laugh Foundation and today we launched our first lecture series and I think we have come a long way," said the 33-year-old actor. Talking about her biggest struggle with the issue, the actor said, "I think the conversation has really opened up and there is less stigma (about mental health) then there used to be four years ago, but certainly we have a long way to go in terms of awareness and that`s why we really need to keep the conversation alive." Deepika, who is the founder of Live Love Laugh Foundation, thanked the media fraternity for their role in starting the "conversation about mental health." "I think as far as the conversation about mental health is concerned, we have come a long way. And I think media has a huge role to play in that. Especially by opening up the conversation in various ways, whether through interviews, write-ups or articles", she said. Further talking about her latest initiative of commencing a 'lecture series' on mental health, the ` Bajirao Mastani` actor said, "The lecture series is to invite people from different profession from various parts of the world. Most importantly the people who are passionate about mental health and have us to talk about their journey and experience." The lecture series was attended by Deepika's parents, Prakash and Ujjala Padukone and her sister Anisha. Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore was also spotted at the do.

Deepika Padukone launches lecture series on mental health

A small but growing number of veterans around the country are turning to beekeeping as a potential treatment for mental health conditions such as anxiety and PTSD.

Military veterans turn to beekeeping for relief

Singer-songwriter Halsey, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 17, revealed that music hasn`t just given her a career, but also a way to find stability with her disorder.The 24-year-old singer, who is gracing the cover of the October issue of Cosmopolitan, opened up about how music helped her manage her energy and focus it into the right direction, reported People."I have bipolar disorder, and I get bored of s-- really quickly.&nbsp; 
 
Music is this thing that I get to focus all my chaotic energy into, and it`s not a void that doesn`t love me back," the singer said."It`s been the only place I can direct all that and have something to show for it that tells me, `Hey, you`re not that bad`. 
 
If my brain is a bunch of broken glass, I get to make it into a mosaic," she added.Halsey, born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, was diagnosed with the disorder at the age of 17.Bipolar disorder is associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. 
 
Back in June, the songstress revealed that she has had herself committed to a psychiatric hospital twice to get ahead of the manic depressive periods. 
 
Being vocal about the ups and downs in her life hasn`t always been easy, especially with the negativity the singer has received from critics online."I shared a lot about myself, assuming the world would be kind. And that hasn`t quite been the case," Halsey told Cosmopolitan.&nbsp; 
 
Sometimes, those trolls and haters have slammed her for what they consider to be inconsistencies in her brand."`Are you a crazy, rambunctious bad girl, or are you an activist, political, fund-raising philanthropist?`" she recalled her critics asking."Like, how f--ing immune are you to the human experience? 
 
Sometimes I want to have really good sex and sometimes I want to save the world, and sometimes I might try to do both in the same day," she added.However, despite all the highs and lows, the `Bad At Love` singer describes herself as "pretty regular."I`ll sometimes look at other artists who seem so larger-than-life and wonder, `Am I not supposed to be here?`" she confessed. 
 
Although she struggles with wanting everyone to love her, she is ultimately happy with not being a picture-perfect pop star."I love that, because I wake up every day wild-eyed and spongy, trying to do things better than the last time," she said.Halsey previously opened up to Rolling Stone about her disorder, revealing that the album she`s currently working on is "the first I`ve ever written manic.""The manic periods are that thing in the back of our minds that drives us to outrageous thoughts," she told the outlet in June."Like when you`re driving a car and you`re like she mimes suddenly cutting over the wheel, or you're on top of a building, and you`re like;'What if I just jump'

You are controlled by those impulses rather than logic and reason," she added at that time.The singer also revealed that as exciting as the manic rush can be, when they end, she`s typically thrust into depression."I know I`m just going to get f--ing depressed and be boring again soon. And I hate that that`s a way of thinking. Every time I wake up and realize I`m back in a depressive episode, I`m bummed. I`m like, `F--. F--! This is where we`re going now? Okay," she said.&nbsp;

Singer-songwriter Halsey, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 17, revealed that music hasn`t just given her a career, but also a way to find stability with her disorder.

Singer-songwriter Halsey, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 17, revealed that music hasn`t just given her a career, but also a way to find stability with her disorder.The 24-year-old singer, who is gracing the cover of the October issue of Cosmopolitan, opened up about how music helped her manage her energy and focus it into the right direction, reported People."I have bipolar disorder, and I get bored of s-- really quickly. Music is this thing that I get to focus all my chaotic energy into, and it`s not a void that doesn`t love me back," the singer said."It`s been the only place I can direct all that and have something to show for it that tells me, `Hey, you`re not that bad`. If my brain is a bunch of broken glass, I get to make it into a mosaic," she added.Halsey, born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, was diagnosed with the disorder at the age of 17.Bipolar disorder is associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. Back in June, the songstress revealed that she has had herself committed to a psychiatric hospital twice to get ahead of the manic depressive periods. Being vocal about the ups and downs in her life hasn`t always been easy, especially with the negativity the singer has received from critics online."I shared a lot about myself, assuming the world would be kind. And that hasn`t quite been the case," Halsey told Cosmopolitan. Sometimes, those trolls and haters have slammed her for what they consider to be inconsistencies in her brand."`Are you a crazy, rambunctious bad girl, or are you an activist, political, fund-raising philanthropist?`" she recalled her critics asking."Like, how f--ing immune are you to the human experience? Sometimes I want to have really good sex and sometimes I want to save the world, and sometimes I might try to do both in the same day," she added.However, despite all the highs and lows, the `Bad At Love` singer describes herself as "pretty regular."I`ll sometimes look at other artists who seem so larger-than-life and wonder, `Am I not supposed to be here?`" she confessed. Although she struggles with wanting everyone to love her, she is ultimately happy with not being a picture-perfect pop star."I love that, because I wake up every day wild-eyed and spongy, trying to do things better than the last time," she said.Halsey previously opened up to Rolling Stone about her disorder, revealing that the album she`s currently working on is "the first I`ve ever written manic.""The manic periods are that thing in the back of our minds that drives us to outrageous thoughts," she told the outlet in June."Like when you`re driving a car and you`re like she mimes suddenly cutting over the wheel, or you're on top of a building, and you`re like;'What if I just jump' You are controlled by those impulses rather than logic and reason," she added at that time.The singer also revealed that as exciting as the manic rush can be, when they end, she`s typically thrust into depression."I know I`m just going to get f--ing depressed and be boring again soon. And I hate that that`s a way of thinking. Every time I wake up and realize I`m back in a depressive episode, I`m bummed. I`m like, `F--. F--! This is where we`re going now? Okay," she said.

Singer Halsey shares how music helped her to manage bipolar disorder

Experts Weigh In On Trump's Mental Health. To know more watch the video

Gravitas: What drives Trump's worst tendencies?

Summarising The Mental Health Crisis In India The official report is awaited on the death of VG Siddhartha. But some of his friends claim that he could be possibly depressed. Now mental health is often-overlooked subject in India. That's strange given the fact that one out of five Indians may suffer from depression. Palki dwelves deep into the data on suicides in India

Gravitas: Suicides in India: what data shows

According to a survey, the biggest democratic nation with the youngest population in the world comes with many cases of depression and suicides. Analyse the mental health of India

WION Fineprint: The mental health crisis in India

Hundreds of Afghans, weary of war and unsure of the future, have joined a letter-writing campaign to share their feelings with the powerful few who will decide on peace with the Taliban and, with it, the fate of their country.

The letters from different parts of Afghanistan express a tangled mix of confusion, resignation and fear.

"I live in grief but I smile. People think I am brave but I have no choice," wrote one unidentified person.

The letters, part of a project called Dard-e-Dil (a painful heart) are addressed to US diplomats, the Taliban and government officials.

They are being written as high-level talks are underway to find a political settlement to end a war that has raged on for 18 years.

"I am writing with a hope that we have a better life in Kabul, we live amidst so much tension, I can do nothing to change the situation but I am still writing," wrote another person from the Afghan capital.

The Dard-e-Dil project aims to give ordinary people an outlet to express their feelings at a time when the peace talks among top officials dominate politics, even though the fighting has not subsided.

"The prevailing political uncertainty is clearly the most nerve-racking phase for Afghans, most of us are already battling depression and mental health issues," said artist Omaid Sharifi, who organised the project.

Sharifi's interest in expressing the feelings aroused by the conflict goes back to his work with ArtLords, an art collective he co-founded that has become famous for the dramatic murals it has painted on grim concrete blast walls around Kabul.

His team has installed special letterboxes outside cafes, educational centres, hospitals and government offices, encouraging people to try to deal with their anxieties and voice their opinions about the peace talks in letters.

The letters are sorted at the ArtLords studio with the aim of sending them on to government authorities, diplomats and the leaders of the insurgency.

More important, though, is the need to help people tell their stories, a basic requirement for mental health, said Sharifi, who struggled with anxiety for years.

"Everyone has a right to narrate their story. Some of these stories will highlight and reveal human rights abuses and some will offer hope and solidarity," he said.

'Silent war'

Afghanistan has been devastated by decades of war, stretching back to the conflict with the former Soviet Union from late 1979.

Violence, instability and poverty have touched virtually every family and many Afghans suffer from mental health problems. However, facilities for treating such illnesses are scarce.

Wahid Mayar, a spokesman for the public health ministry, estimated that about half of the population will experience mental stress during their lifetime, a consequence of war often overshadowed by daily struggles.

"The suffering of mental illness in Afghanistan is a silent war. If peace comes then we will have to accept the new normal, but currently we are in a phase of tremendous uncertainty," Mayar said.

"The prospect of peace brings hope and anxiety. We wonder can peace ever come to embrace us, to calm our minds," he said.

Accurate data on mental health is not available in Afghanistan but the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates more than a million Afghans suffer from depressive disorders and more than 1.2 million from anxiety disorders.

The WHO says the actual numbers are likely much higher.

Nobody expects the letter-writing campaign to heal the wounds of more than four decades of conflict but it may allow at least some people to start working through their fears and prepare for an uncertain future.

"There are times when I want to run away from my country and then I think I should wait for peace and plan my life here," wrote one person.

"Kabul is always the best place to be." 
&nbsp;

Hundreds of Afghans, weary of war and unsure of the future, have joined a letter-writing campaign to share their feelings with the powerful few who will decide on peace with the Taliban and, with it, the fate of their country.

Hundreds of Afghans, weary of war and unsure of the future, have joined a letter-writing campaign to share their feelings with the powerful few who will decide on peace with the Taliban and, with it, the fate of their country. The letters from different parts of Afghanistan express a tangled mix of confusion, resignation and fear. "I live in grief but I smile. People think I am brave but I have no choice," wrote one unidentified person. The letters, part of a project called Dard-e-Dil (a painful heart) are addressed to US diplomats, the Taliban and government officials. They are being written as high-level talks are underway to find a political settlement to end a war that has raged on for 18 years. "I am writing with a hope that we have a better life in Kabul, we live amidst so much tension, I can do nothing to change the situation but I am still writing," wrote another person from the Afghan capital. The Dard-e-Dil project aims to give ordinary people an outlet to express their feelings at a time when the peace talks among top officials dominate politics, even though the fighting has not subsided. "The prevailing political uncertainty is clearly the most nerve-racking phase for Afghans, most of us are already battling depression and mental health issues," said artist Omaid Sharifi, who organised the project. Sharifi's interest in expressing the feelings aroused by the conflict goes back to his work with ArtLords, an art collective he co-founded that has become famous for the dramatic murals it has painted on grim concrete blast walls around Kabul. His team has installed special letterboxes outside cafes, educational centres, hospitals and government offices, encouraging people to try to deal with their anxieties and voice their opinions about the peace talks in letters. The letters are sorted at the ArtLords studio with the aim of sending them on to government authorities, diplomats and the leaders of the insurgency. More important, though, is the need to help people tell their stories, a basic requirement for mental health, said Sharifi, who struggled with anxiety for years. "Everyone has a right to narrate their story. Some of these stories will highlight and reveal human rights abuses and some will offer hope and solidarity," he said. 'Silent war' Afghanistan has been devastated by decades of war, stretching back to the conflict with the former Soviet Union from late 1979. Violence, instability and poverty have touched virtually every family and many Afghans suffer from mental health problems. However, facilities for treating such illnesses are scarce. Wahid Mayar, a spokesman for the public health ministry, estimated that about half of the population will experience mental stress during their lifetime, a consequence of war often overshadowed by daily struggles. "The suffering of mental illness in Afghanistan is a silent war. If peace comes then we will have to accept the new normal, but currently we are in a phase of tremendous uncertainty," Mayar said. "The prospect of peace brings hope and anxiety. We wonder can peace ever come to embrace us, to calm our minds," he said. Accurate data on mental health is not available in Afghanistan but the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates more than a million Afghans suffer from depressive disorders and more than 1.2 million from anxiety disorders. The WHO says the actual numbers are likely much higher. Nobody expects the letter-writing campaign to heal the wounds of more than four decades of conflict but it may allow at least some people to start working through their fears and prepare for an uncertain future. "There are times when I want to run away from my country and then I think I should wait for peace and plan my life here," wrote one person. "Kabul is always the best place to be."

Letterbox campaign helps Afghans cope with silent war of mental health

American rapper-singer Kanye West openly talked about his mental health struggles in an interview with David Letterman on his Netflix show 'My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.'

On being asked what was the mechanism that was malfunctioning or taking a break&nbsp;in his brain, West responded: "I wouldn`t be able to explain that as much, you know because I`m not a doctor. I can just tell you what I`m feeling at the time, and I feel a heightened connection with the universe when I`m ramping up."

"This is like a sprained brain, like having a sprained ankle. And if someone has a sprained ankle, you're not going to push on him more," he said, adding, "Once our brain gets to the point of spraining, people do everything to make it worse."

West, who recently welcomed his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/kim-kardashian-reveals-name-of-her-fourth-child-219616">fourth child with Kim Kardashian</a>, had been transparent about his state from the beginning.

During a radio interview with WCGI 107.5, he had said "I could present in a more calm way, but I was ramped up. I`m not blaming mental health, but I`m explaining mental health."

West opened up about his condition during an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! saying he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and requested everyone to be honest about their own personal struggles.

"I think it`s important for us to have open conversations about mental health, especially with me being black because we never had therapists in the black community," West said according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In 2016, the 'Heartless'&nbsp;singer was hospitalised when he showed symptoms of continuous exhaustion and sleep deprivation.

He was also once kept in a psychiatric hold which led to the cancellation of his Saint Pablo tour.&nbsp; 
 
 
&nbsp;

American rapper-singer Kanye West openly talked about his mental health struggles in an interview with David Letterman on his Netflix show 'My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.

American rapper-singer Kanye West openly talked about his mental health struggles in an interview with David Letterman on his Netflix show 'My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.' On being asked what was the mechanism that was malfunctioning or taking a break in his brain, West responded: "I wouldn`t be able to explain that as much, you know because I`m not a doctor. I can just tell you what I`m feeling at the time, and I feel a heightened connection with the universe when I`m ramping up." "This is like a sprained brain, like having a sprained ankle. And if someone has a sprained ankle, you're not going to push on him more," he said, adding, "Once our brain gets to the point of spraining, people do everything to make it worse." West, who recently welcomed his fourth child with Kim Kardashian, had been transparent about his state from the beginning. During a radio interview with WCGI 107.5, he had said "I could present in a more calm way, but I was ramped up. I`m not blaming mental health, but I`m explaining mental health." West opened up about his condition during an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! saying he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and requested everyone to be honest about their own personal struggles. "I think it`s important for us to have open conversations about mental health, especially with me being black because we never had therapists in the black community," West said according to The Hollywood Reporter. In 2016, the 'Heartless' singer was hospitalised when he showed symptoms of continuous exhaustion and sleep deprivation. He was also once kept in a psychiatric hold which led to the cancellation of his Saint Pablo tour.

Kanye West: I'm not blaming mental health, but I'm explaining mental health

'Game of Thrones' actor Kit Harington is undergoing treatment after the end of the HBO television series in which he starred as the heartthrob Jon Snow, his representative said on Tuesday. 
 
"Kit has decided to utilize this break in his schedule as an opportunity to spend some time at a wellness retreat to work on some personal issues," a representative for the British actor said in a statement. 
 
Harington, 32, went from virtual unknown to world stardom in 'Game of Thrones,' in which he played the role of the courageous Snow, whose actions in the final episode were one of the show`s biggest shockers. 
 
The statement did not give details of his issues, but The New York Post`s 'Page Six' column said Harington was hard hit by the ending of the show and was being treated for stress, exhaustion and alcohol use. 
 
Page Six added that he checked into a clinic in the United States help several weeks before the medieval fantasy series came to an end on May 19. The finale attracted a record 19.3 million viewers in the United States alone. 
 
Harington, who married his 'Game of Thrones' co-star Rose Leslie in 2018, told Variety earlier this year that he had previously found it hard to deal with the fame and attention the show brought, calling it "terrifying."

"I felt I had to feel that I was the most fortunate person in the world, when actually, I felt very vulnerable. I had a shaky time in my life around there - like I think a lot of people do in their 20s," he told Variety in an interview published in March.

'Game of Thrones' actor Kit Harington is undergoing treatment after the end of the HBO television series in which he starred as the heartthrob Jon Snow, his representative said on Tuesday.

'Game of Thrones' actor Kit Harington is undergoing treatment after the end of the HBO television series in which he starred as the heartthrob Jon Snow, his representative said on Tuesday. "Kit has decided to utilize this break in his schedule as an opportunity to spend some time at a wellness retreat to work on some personal issues," a representative for the British actor said in a statement. Harington, 32, went from virtual unknown to world stardom in 'Game of Thrones,' in which he played the role of the courageous Snow, whose actions in the final episode were one of the show`s biggest shockers. The statement did not give details of his issues, but The New York Post`s 'Page Six' column said Harington was hard hit by the ending of the show and was being treated for stress, exhaustion and alcohol use. Page Six added that he checked into a clinic in the United States help several weeks before the medieval fantasy series came to an end on May 19. The finale attracted a record 19.3 million viewers in the United States alone. Harington, who married his 'Game of Thrones' co-star Rose Leslie in 2018, told Variety earlier this year that he had previously found it hard to deal with the fame and attention the show brought, calling it "terrifying." "I felt I had to feel that I was the most fortunate person in the world, when actually, I felt very vulnerable. I had a shaky time in my life around there - like I think a lot of people do in their 20s," he told Variety in an interview published in March.

'Game of Thrones' star Kit Harington getting treatment

The longtime manager for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/britney-spears-granted-restraining-order-against-parasite-ex-manager-217264">Britney Spears </a>voiced concern about her mental health on Wednesday, saying he believes the pop singer should not return to performing at a planned Las Vegas residency in the near term "and possibly never again."

In January, Spears suspended plans for a new show set to run in Vegas from February to August after her father became seriously ill following a ruptured colon.

Last month, she spent time in a mental health facility, saying she needed "a little me time."

Larry Rudolph, in remarks to celebrity website TMZ, Variety and Entertainment Tonight, said the "Stronger" singer had not called him in months.

But he told TMZ; "As the person who guides her career - based on the information I and all of the professionals who work with her are being told on a need-to-know basis - from what I have gathered it`s clear to me she should not be going back to do this Vegas residency, not in the near future and possibly never again," Rudolph told TMZ.

"I don't want her to work again till she's ready, physically, mentally and passionately," Rudolph added. "If that time never comes again, it will never come again. I have no desire or ability to make her work again."

Other representatives for Spears, 37, did not immediately return a request for comment.

Her father, Jamie Spears, is credited with reviving her career after her life spiralled out of control in 2007-08. He remains the court-approved conservator of her business affairs.

Spears became a teen pop phenomenon in 1999 with her debut single "...Baby One More Time" and subsequent hits like "Oops! ... I Did It Again."&nbsp;

She made a comeback in late 2008 with the album and world tour "Circus" and has performed in Las Vegas since 2014.

"Last summer, when she wanted to tour, she called me every day. She was excited," Rudolph told TMZ. "She hasn't&nbsp;called me in months. Crickets. She clearly doesn't want to perform now."

The longtime manager for Britney Spears voiced concern about her mental health on Wednesday, saying he believes the pop singer should not return to performing at a planned Las Vegas residency in the near term "and possibly never again.

The longtime manager for Britney Spears voiced concern about her mental health on Wednesday, saying he believes the pop singer should not return to performing at a planned Las Vegas residency in the near term "and possibly never again." In January, Spears suspended plans for a new show set to run in Vegas from February to August after her father became seriously ill following a ruptured colon. Last month, she spent time in a mental health facility, saying she needed "a little me time." Larry Rudolph, in remarks to celebrity website TMZ, Variety and Entertainment Tonight, said the "Stronger" singer had not called him in months. But he told TMZ; "As the person who guides her career - based on the information I and all of the professionals who work with her are being told on a need-to-know basis - from what I have gathered it`s clear to me she should not be going back to do this Vegas residency, not in the near future and possibly never again," Rudolph told TMZ. "I don't want her to work again till she's ready, physically, mentally and passionately," Rudolph added. "If that time never comes again, it will never come again. I have no desire or ability to make her work again." Other representatives for Spears, 37, did not immediately return a request for comment. Her father, Jamie Spears, is credited with reviving her career after her life spiralled out of control in 2007-08. He remains the court-approved conservator of her business affairs. Spears became a teen pop phenomenon in 1999 with her debut single "...Baby One More Time" and subsequent hits like "Oops! ... I Did It Again." She made a comeback in late 2008 with the album and world tour "Circus" and has performed in Las Vegas since 2014. "Last summer, when she wanted to tour, she called me every day. She was excited," Rudolph told TMZ. "She hasn't called me in months. Crickets. She clearly doesn't want to perform now."

Britney Spears may never work again, says her longtime manager

Britain's young royals, brothers Prince William and Prince Harry and their wives Kate and Meghan, launched a new phone messaging service on Friday (May 10) to help people suffering a mental health crisis.

British royals launch mental health text service

Pop star Britney Spears said on Wednesday she was taking a little "me time" after a report she checked herself into a mental health facility to help cope with her father`s illness. 
 
Spears, 37, announced in January that she was pulling out of all her concerts and work commitments to be with her family after her father Jamie came close to death in November after suffering a ruptured colon.&nbsp; 
 
On Wednesday, the 'Stronger' singer posted a message on her Instagram account saying, "We all need to take time for a little `me time`." She also posted a quote reading "Fall in love with taking care of yourself, mind, body, spirit.” 
 
Celebrity website TMZ said Spears voluntarily checked herself into a residential mental health facility about a week ago.&nbsp;A source close to the singer said Jamie Spears was not doing well after a second surgery three weeks ago, and that Britney was finding his prolonged illness hard to deal with. 
"They are very close. She just wants to take time to focus on herself," the source told Reuters. 
 
Jamie Spears is credited with reviving the career of his teen sensation daughter after her life spiralled out of control in 2007-08. He remains the court-approved conservator of her business affairs. 
 
Spears became a pop phenomenon in 1999 with her debut single "...Baby One More Time" and subsequent hits like "Oops!...I Did It Again." She made a comeback in late 2008 with the album and world tour 'Circus' and has performed in Las Vegas since 2014. 
 
Spears in January withdrew from a new series of concerts in Las Vegas that were due to run from February-August.

Pop star Britney Spears said on Wednesday she was taking a little "me time" after a report she checked herself into a mental health facility to help cope with her father`s illness.

Pop star Britney Spears said on Wednesday she was taking a little "me time" after a report she checked herself into a mental health facility to help cope with her father`s illness. Spears, 37, announced in January that she was pulling out of all her concerts and work commitments to be with her family after her father Jamie came close to death in November after suffering a ruptured colon. On Wednesday, the 'Stronger' singer posted a message on her Instagram account saying, "We all need to take time for a little `me time`." She also posted a quote reading "Fall in love with taking care of yourself, mind, body, spirit.” Celebrity website TMZ said Spears voluntarily checked herself into a residential mental health facility about a week ago. A source close to the singer said Jamie Spears was not doing well after a second surgery three weeks ago, and that Britney was finding his prolonged illness hard to deal with. "They are very close. She just wants to take time to focus on herself," the source told Reuters. Jamie Spears is credited with reviving the career of his teen sensation daughter after her life spiralled out of control in 2007-08. He remains the court-approved conservator of her business affairs. Spears became a pop phenomenon in 1999 with her debut single "...Baby One More Time" and subsequent hits like "Oops!...I Did It Again." She made a comeback in late 2008 with the album and world tour 'Circus' and has performed in Las Vegas since 2014. Spears in January withdrew from a new series of concerts in Las Vegas that were due to run from February-August.

Britney Spears checks herself into mental health facility for 'me time'

Gravitas: Is social media threat to mental health?

Every year in December, Altmetric (a data science company, which tracks published research online and provides insights related to institutions, publishers, researchers and funders), comes out with a list of the top 100 scientific papers. This year 3 out of the 100 are on mental health and depression, with one being in the top 10 examining the relationship between exercising and mental health in US. The other two are on the side effects of consumption of anti-depressants and on prevalence of mental health issues in graduate education.&nbsp;

This is more than mildly alarming. As 2018 comes to an end, &nbsp;events like Elon Musk’s breakdown on Twitter, the suicide of Stanford University physicist and entrepreneur Zhang Shoucheng (who was apparently in line for the Nobel Prize), and closer home, depression hitting IIT aspirants in Kota, or suicides of farmers make one point clear: The ogre of mental illness is staring at societies rich and poor, in many ugly ways.

The World Health Organization in March 2018 noted that globally some 300 million suffer from depression and in October 2018, perhaps in recognition, the United Kingdom appointed formally a minister for suicide prevention. Around the world, depression is now affecting the young, the married, the working professionals and entrepreneurs, farmers in rural landscapes and also the aged. Unfortunately, social stigma, delayed detection and an understaffed supply side with psychiatrists, counsellors, and therapists make the matter worse not just in India but in many developing countries. To complicate the story, given the big medical challenge of the blood-brain barrier, innovation, and efficacy in the performance of anti-depressant medicines have been underwhelming. A recent study in the UK reported that even toddlers may not be exempt, the defiant ones potentially showing symptoms tomorrow. Additionally, other findings here point to the gender element.&nbsp;

Even more concerning is that in India alone, statistics from the National Mental Health Survey of India, 2015-16 indicate that 150 million need support for mental disorders and this has been now repeatedly featured even in recent speeches of the country’s political leaders, including the Prime Minister’s and the President’s. Some other studies have noted that some 20 per cent of the Indian population will be suffering from at least one mental health problem by 2020 and the lay of the land is complicated by the fact that therapy is not commonly embraced in India. In addition, as answered in Lok Sabha by the minister of state of health and family welfare, there are just 3,827 psychiatrists and 898 clinical psychologists in the country. Further the distribution of this limited mental health workforce is also geographically heterogeneous. While frank discussions here, especially by prominent members of the society like Deepika Padukone help, given that there are currently evolving deep changes in the social structure, mere recognition and awareness may not be able to bridge the gap between supply and demand, leave alone handle issues around financing costs for therapy and treating mental health in a market dominantly out of pocket in the broader healthcare context.&nbsp;

One way to potentially solve this problem may be to take advantage of entrepreneurship and technology leapfrogging the supply barrier. A technology-enabled multi-sided platform that guarantees confidentiality, gauge moods using natural language processing and artificial intelligence and matches therapists to unwell citizens could be a way forward, especially keeping in mind affordability and access. While international start-ups like Talkspace, 7 Cups and Better Help are already operating in this space, even here in India, platforms like TickTalkTo and YourDost are gaining prominence. Several organisations, in fact, are also using such platforms along with chat bots to promote employee wellness and thereby trying to improve productivity and reduce attrition.&nbsp;

In addition, policy interventions are also needed. For example, treatment of mental health should be added to India’s national and statewide universal healthcare coverage programmes on a priority basis (encouraging here is to see that the Insurance and Regulatory Development Authority recently asked private insurers to include mental health in their packages) and brick and mortar investments need to happen to bridge the supply gap in professional psychiatrists, not just in urban but also in rural areas. In addition, the government could do well to turn to traditional medicines and wellness initiatives that promote healthy living. Finally, there is also an urgent need to attend to air pollution across India since recent research has found with postmortem brain samples from people exposed to high levels of air pollution (living in Mexico City and UK), the higher likelihood of brain disorders like Alzheimer’s.

Also, in recent times, the Mental Health Policy, the new Mental Health Act, recommendations from National Human Rights Commission, directives from the Supreme Court of India, advocacy actions and the introduction of ‘Happiness Curriculum’ in Delhi government schools are all undoubtedly steps in the right direction.

This is precisely the mission driven multifarious approach required in a country where issues like farm productivity, joblessness, a pressure to perform and compete, societal transformations in the urban and rural landscapes are denting the overall quotient for happiness. One can also draw inspiration and learning from the much successful polio mission here, facilitate healthcare entrepreneurship in this area, spur public and private investment in structural transformation of the supply side and further augment financing of mental health treatment. As the Dalai Lama said, happiness is not something readymade, it comes from your own actions, it is time for the country to recognise that and bolster its quest for mental wellness going forward.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

(Disclaimer: This article was originally published in DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-quest-for-mental-wellness-2701914">original article</a>)

Every year in December, Altmetric (a data science company, which tracks published research online and provides insights related to institutions, publishers, researchers and funders), comes out with a list of the top 100 scientific papers.

Every year in December, Altmetric (a data science company, which tracks published research online and provides insights related to institutions, publishers, researchers and funders), comes out with a list of the top 100 scientific papers. This year 3 out of the 100 are on mental health and depression, with one being in the top 10 examining the relationship between exercising and mental health in US. The other two are on the side effects of consumption of anti-depressants and on prevalence of mental health issues in graduate education. This is more than mildly alarming. As 2018 comes to an end, events like Elon Musk’s breakdown on Twitter, the suicide of Stanford University physicist and entrepreneur Zhang Shoucheng (who was apparently in line for the Nobel Prize), and closer home, depression hitting IIT aspirants in Kota, or suicides of farmers make one point clear: The ogre of mental illness is staring at societies rich and poor, in many ugly ways. The World Health Organization in March 2018 noted that globally some 300 million suffer from depression and in October 2018, perhaps in recognition, the United Kingdom appointed formally a minister for suicide prevention. Around the world, depression is now affecting the young, the married, the working professionals and entrepreneurs, farmers in rural landscapes and also the aged. Unfortunately, social stigma, delayed detection and an understaffed supply side with psychiatrists, counsellors, and therapists make the matter worse not just in India but in many developing countries. To complicate the story, given the big medical challenge of the blood-brain barrier, innovation, and efficacy in the performance of anti-depressant medicines have been underwhelming. A recent study in the UK reported that even toddlers may not be exempt, the defiant ones potentially showing symptoms tomorrow. Additionally, other findings here point to the gender element. Even more concerning is that in India alone, statistics from the National Mental Health Survey of India, 2015-16 indicate that 150 million need support for mental disorders and this has been now repeatedly featured even in recent speeches of the country’s political leaders, including the Prime Minister’s and the President’s. Some other studies have noted that some 20 per cent of the Indian population will be suffering from at least one mental health problem by 2020 and the lay of the land is complicated by the fact that therapy is not commonly embraced in India. In addition, as answered in Lok Sabha by the minister of state of health and family welfare, there are just 3,827 psychiatrists and 898 clinical psychologists in the country. Further the distribution of this limited mental health workforce is also geographically heterogeneous. While frank discussions here, especially by prominent members of the society like Deepika Padukone help, given that there are currently evolving deep changes in the social structure, mere recognition and awareness may not be able to bridge the gap between supply and demand, leave alone handle issues around financing costs for therapy and treating mental health in a market dominantly out of pocket in the broader healthcare context. One way to potentially solve this problem may be to take advantage of entrepreneurship and technology leapfrogging the supply barrier. A technology-enabled multi-sided platform that guarantees confidentiality, gauge moods using natural language processing and artificial intelligence and matches therapists to unwell citizens could be a way forward, especially keeping in mind affordability and access. While international start-ups like Talkspace, 7 Cups and Better Help are already operating in this space, even here in India, platforms like TickTalkTo and YourDost are gaining prominence. Several organisations, in fact, are also using such platforms along with chat bots to promote employee wellness and thereby trying to improve productivity and reduce attrition. In addition, policy interventions are also needed. For example, treatment of mental health should be added to India’s national and statewide universal healthcare coverage programmes on a priority basis (encouraging here is to see that the Insurance and Regulatory Development Authority recently asked private insurers to include mental health in their packages) and brick and mortar investments need to happen to bridge the supply gap in professional psychiatrists, not just in urban but also in rural areas. In addition, the government could do well to turn to traditional medicines and wellness initiatives that promote healthy living. Finally, there is also an urgent need to attend to air pollution across India since recent research has found with postmortem brain samples from people exposed to high levels of air pollution (living in Mexico City and UK), the higher likelihood of brain disorders like Alzheimer’s. Also, in recent times, the Mental Health Policy, the new Mental Health Act, recommendations from National Human Rights Commission, directives from the Supreme Court of India, advocacy actions and the introduction of ‘Happiness Curriculum’ in Delhi government schools are all undoubtedly steps in the right direction. This is precisely the mission driven multifarious approach required in a country where issues like farm productivity, joblessness, a pressure to perform and compete, societal transformations in the urban and rural landscapes are denting the overall quotient for happiness. One can also draw inspiration and learning from the much successful polio mission here, facilitate healthcare entrepreneurship in this area, spur public and private investment in structural transformation of the supply side and further augment financing of mental health treatment. As the Dalai Lama said, happiness is not something readymade, it comes from your own actions, it is time for the country to recognise that and bolster its quest for mental wellness going forward. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) (Disclaimer: This article was originally published in DNA. Read the original article)

Quest for mental wellness

Luanne Wright was all set for retirement when the deadliest wildfire in California history swept through her town of Paradise. The blaze incinerated her home, her car and even the chickens in her backyard.

Now Wright is spending days leading up to Christmas with her husband and daughter on adjacent cots in a Red Cross refugee centre in nearby Chico, desperately searching for somewhere to live.&nbsp;

Her husband is recovering from a heart attack suffered at a previous shelter.

"We were comfortable, we were happy, and now we have an acre of burned land and nowhere to go," she said. "Everything is gone."

The so-called Camp Fire broke out in early November in Butte County, killing at least 86 people and burning 14,000 homes in the tree-blanketed Sierra Nevada foothills of northern California.&nbsp;

Insurance claims have already topped $7 billion, and officials estimate it will cost at least $3 billion just to clear the charred debris of homes and businesses.

A few feet away in the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, where about 700 people are living in tents, camper vans and a giant exhibition hall, Rubi Solis watches over four children, four dogs and a cat.&nbsp;

Solis didn't know her estranged husband had stopped paying the insurance premiums months ago on her house in the tiny community of Concow, leaving her without coverage.

Her house was worth $200,000. The government gave her $34,900 to rebuild —enough, she says, to just about cover the cost of a new kitchen.&nbsp;

Her children have no school to attend. The youngest, aged four, got so stressed she started slurring her words.

Mental scars

The Wright and Solis families are among thousands struggling to find housing as winter approaches and they try to piece together their shattered lives. And the months ahead are unlikely to be any easier.

A year after wildfires swept through Sonoma County, about 100 miles (160 kilometres) west of Paradise, some survivors there have begun to rebuild.&nbsp;

But many still cope with physical losses and psychological scars — when smoke from the Butte County fires reached Sonoma County last month, many people suffered flashbacks or night terrors.

Wadner Anilus, a disaster relief program coordinator in Sonoma County, said he sees rising drug abuse and increased school drop-out rates among teen survivors of last year's fires.

Anilus recalled one survivor saying at a group counselling session that she couldn't wear donated clothing "because it reminded her of the night of the fire." Two other women at the session started crying and admitted they had the same feelings but had been too embarrassed to express them.

"You just see clients sit in bed for days," Anilus said because a year later they're still overwhelmed.&nbsp;

Niveen Rizkalla, a researcher specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder at the University of California, Berkeley, has been working with Sonoma survivors and relief workers for the past year.&nbsp;

They spent the weeks immediately after the fires dealing with what she calls "survival needs" such as food, clothing and housing. Only later did they begin to confront their emotional damage.

"When people are facing the shock of losing everything in a second, they are not available to delve into themselves and see what is happening within," she said. "We need to encourage them not to hold back, our minds will take revenge on us if we do not let them speak."

Rizkalla said survivors often suffer suicidal thoughts and may turn to substance abuse.

"People need to escape, they need alcohol, drugs to ease their pain," she said.&nbsp;

Things are even more challenging in Butte County, where the median home value is less than half that of Sonoma, and where many of the poor and elderly did not have house insurance.

The quest for normalcy is keenly felt by Trudi Angel, whose home and ballet studio was destroyed in Paradise.&nbsp;

Her Northern California Ballet company has presented "The Nutcracker" before Christmas for the past 32 years, and she is determined the show must go on in mid-January.

"Almost every one of my dancers or their families lost their home," she said. "Our studio is totally gone. All the costumes, the sets, everything is gone. The dancers have no shoes or anything."

But Angel, a former dancer with ballet companies in Munich, Chicago and Los Angeles, said contributions have come in from as far away as Stuttgart, London and Japan, and a ballet company in Oregon offered its Nutcracker costumes.

"People in the community said it's a tradition, it's a bright spot in our life, we need this in not so bright times," she said. "And some of my young dancers would call me and they’d cry, 'We miss you and we miss the Nutcracker.' They need this."

Luanne Wright was all set for retirement when the deadliest wildfire in California history swept through her town of Paradise. The blaze incinerated her home, her car and even the chickens in her backyard.

Luanne Wright was all set for retirement when the deadliest wildfire in California history swept through her town of Paradise. The blaze incinerated her home, her car and even the chickens in her backyard. Now Wright is spending days leading up to Christmas with her husband and daughter on adjacent cots in a Red Cross refugee centre in nearby Chico, desperately searching for somewhere to live. Her husband is recovering from a heart attack suffered at a previous shelter. "We were comfortable, we were happy, and now we have an acre of burned land and nowhere to go," she said. "Everything is gone." The so-called Camp Fire broke out in early November in Butte County, killing at least 86 people and burning 14,000 homes in the tree-blanketed Sierra Nevada foothills of northern California. Insurance claims have already topped $7 billion, and officials estimate it will cost at least $3 billion just to clear the charred debris of homes and businesses. A few feet away in the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, where about 700 people are living in tents, camper vans and a giant exhibition hall, Rubi Solis watches over four children, four dogs and a cat. Solis didn't know her estranged husband had stopped paying the insurance premiums months ago on her house in the tiny community of Concow, leaving her without coverage. Her house was worth $200,000. The government gave her $34,900 to rebuild —enough, she says, to just about cover the cost of a new kitchen. Her children have no school to attend. The youngest, aged four, got so stressed she started slurring her words. Mental scars The Wright and Solis families are among thousands struggling to find housing as winter approaches and they try to piece together their shattered lives. And the months ahead are unlikely to be any easier. A year after wildfires swept through Sonoma County, about 100 miles (160 kilometres) west of Paradise, some survivors there have begun to rebuild. But many still cope with physical losses and psychological scars — when smoke from the Butte County fires reached Sonoma County last month, many people suffered flashbacks or night terrors. Wadner Anilus, a disaster relief program coordinator in Sonoma County, said he sees rising drug abuse and increased school drop-out rates among teen survivors of last year's fires. Anilus recalled one survivor saying at a group counselling session that she couldn't wear donated clothing "because it reminded her of the night of the fire." Two other women at the session started crying and admitted they had the same feelings but had been too embarrassed to express them. "You just see clients sit in bed for days," Anilus said because a year later they're still overwhelmed. Niveen Rizkalla, a researcher specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder at the University of California, Berkeley, has been working with Sonoma survivors and relief workers for the past year. They spent the weeks immediately after the fires dealing with what she calls "survival needs" such as food, clothing and housing. Only later did they begin to confront their emotional damage. "When people are facing the shock of losing everything in a second, they are not available to delve into themselves and see what is happening within," she said. "We need to encourage them not to hold back, our minds will take revenge on us if we do not let them speak." Rizkalla said survivors often suffer suicidal thoughts and may turn to substance abuse. "People need to escape, they need alcohol, drugs to ease their pain," she said. Things are even more challenging in Butte County, where the median home value is less than half that of Sonoma, and where many of the poor and elderly did not have house insurance. The quest for normalcy is keenly felt by Trudi Angel, whose home and ballet studio was destroyed in Paradise. Her Northern California Ballet company has presented "The Nutcracker" before Christmas for the past 32 years, and she is determined the show must go on in mid-January. "Almost every one of my dancers or their families lost their home," she said. "Our studio is totally gone. All the costumes, the sets, everything is gone. The dancers have no shoes or anything." But Angel, a former dancer with ballet companies in Munich, Chicago and Los Angeles, said contributions have come in from as far away as Stuttgart, London and Japan, and a ballet company in Oregon offered its Nutcracker costumes. "People in the community said it's a tradition, it's a bright spot in our life, we need this in not so bright times," she said. "And some of my young dancers would call me and they’d cry, 'We miss you and we miss the Nutcracker.' They need this."

California fire survivours face bleak Christmas in shelters

The widely-famous photo-sharing app, Instagram has finally introduced a new feature call "Your Activity" to help users to keep a tab on the time they spend on Instagram.&nbsp;

The new feature can be accessed by clicking on the menu at the upper right corner of your profile page, from there you can find the feature under "Your Activity"&nbsp;which will show you how much time you have spent on the app on average and how much you use it daily.

The official announcement&nbsp;was made in August but&nbsp;the company has&nbsp;started rolling out the feature now.

The new "Your Activity" feature also allows users to restrict their usage, similar to Apple's Screen Time, which prompts a message on the screen you if a user exceeds the permitted time limit.

It also has a feature to temporarily mute push notifications.

The new feature is aimed to give users more control over the app usage amid the discussions related to social media addiction and its effects on mental health worldwide.

According to reports, Facebook will also roll out the same feature soon.&nbsp;

Google is also planning to launch a similar feature with its new Android 9.0. The new Android update is also expected to roll out soon.

The widely-famous photo-sharing app, Instagram has finally introduced a new feature call "Your Activity" to help users to keep a tab on the time they spend on Instagram.

The widely-famous photo-sharing app, Instagram has finally introduced a new feature call "Your Activity" to help users to keep a tab on the time they spend on Instagram. The new feature can be accessed by clicking on the menu at the upper right corner of your profile page, from there you can find the feature under "Your Activity" which will show you how much time you have spent on the app on average and how much you use it daily. The official announcement was made in August but the company has started rolling out the feature now. The new "Your Activity" feature also allows users to restrict their usage, similar to Apple's Screen Time, which prompts a message on the screen you if a user exceeds the permitted time limit. It also has a feature to temporarily mute push notifications. The new feature is aimed to give users more control over the app usage amid the discussions related to social media addiction and its effects on mental health worldwide. According to reports, Facebook will also roll out the same feature soon. Google is also planning to launch a similar feature with its new Android 9.0. The new Android update is also expected to roll out soon.

Now, Instagram lets you check your obsession with new 'Your Activity' feature

The phrase ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ may just have a deeper meaning than one would think.&nbsp; 
 
Work-related stress has been a pressing issue for decades and, surprisingly, not many people really make an effort towards addressing the matter.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A survey conducted by Cigna TTK Health Insurance this year indicated that 79 per cent Indians do not feel the need to or feel comfortable talking to a medical professional about stress. &nbsp;

Stress levels are high in India compared with other developed and emerging countries, including the US, the UK, Germany, France, China, Brazil and Indonesia, according to the 2018 Cigna 360° Well-Being survey. &nbsp;

About 89 per cent population in India admitted that they are suffering from stress compared to the global average of 86 per cent. It appears alarming that the majority of those respondents were millennials. &nbsp;

How to know you are stressed?&nbsp;

Most respondents in the Cigna TTK Health Insurance survey believed work and finances to be their source of constant worry. &nbsp;

But there are many sources of stress – small or big – sometimes you may not even understand the cause of stress. &nbsp;

“In urban professional life, whether employed or self-employed, there are external and internal sources of stress. External sources include family dynamics, parenting struggles, relationship stress, financial security, commuting, deadline pressure, information overload, sub-optimal health, office politics,” explains R Anand, author of recently published book “Happiness at work” and senior vice president (human resources) at HCL Technologies. &nbsp;

Some internal sources of stress are - fear of harm to self, fear of harm to near and dear ones, fear of falling short, feeling excluded, being bullied, subjected to unwanted attention, bitterness and regret about the past.

Our internal modes are a product of our early history and the first map we made of our self and the world, Anand says. &nbsp;

“We tend to stick to this map and see everything in its light. This is an understandable shortcut and instinct when we were helpless and desperate children needing other people to survive. However, we carry this baggage too long after the rationale for it has perished.”&nbsp;

“These biases are unconscious to us. Our helpless selves had buried this deep in our unconscious to overcome the immediate and overwhelming anxieties we were beset with. This is why these unconscious processes drive us significantly but we are unable to recognise the magnitude of their manipulations,” Anand unravels. &nbsp;

Decision making under stress&nbsp;

Stress plays a major role in decision making – be it every day or major professional and personal choices. Many decisions are made under stress, and many decision situations elicit stress responses themselves. Thus, stress and decision making are intricately connected, not only on the behavioural level but also on the neural level.&nbsp;

All of us, just by being human, distort the way we perceive and decide. &nbsp;

The field of behavioural economics has documented these distortions very well. For example, all of us are loss averse and some are much more than others. We would forego opportunities so that we don't take the risk and exaggerated pain of a loss. &nbsp;

When we are stressed and need to make a decision, we are more likely to bear in mind things that have been rewarding and to oversee information predicting negative consequences.&nbsp;

“We also confuse the intensity of the event with the frequency of the event. If an event has large consequences, we somehow tell ourselves that it must occur often. This way the big worries drive us crazy, even though they are improbable,” Anand says. &nbsp;

Happiness – finding the meaning and finding ‘it’&nbsp;

We know that stress is linked to physical and emotional problems, strained relationships, and serious mental health issues. But stress also affects health, well-being and happiness. And when we are unhappy, we often become disengaged, cynical, and toxic to others.&nbsp;

Many people fall for the ‘follow this and everything will be okay’ advice. What many do not talk about is actually finding happiness within oneself. Moreover, happiness, as a subject, has not been studied thoroughly. &nbsp;

There’s a lot of philosophical debate over what it actually means to “be happy,” but if you’re looking for concrete answers, it can leave you wanting. We all know what it feels like to be happy, but the actual source of our happiness has always been hard to pinpoint.&nbsp;

“Happiness is a shallow word used for lots of things. The Eskimos had 350 words for snow! Our words to describe happiness, by contrast, does not even scratch the surface of the many nuances that are possible.” R Anand says. &nbsp;

“Contrast this with the vocabulary for happiness in Tamil - Sugam (like sun on skin in winter), Santhosham (feeling happy), Sowkhyam (I’ve got what I need and in fact a bit more), Trupti (feeling satiated in a higher order manner, it is happiness with a connotation of feeling complete), Negizhchi (when your children do well or when someone praises them), Magizhchi (a childlike happiness at receiving an applause or after being artistically entertained),” he further elucidates. &nbsp;

Finland tops the global happiness index, according to the World Happiness Report 2018, closely followed by Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland and the Netherlands.&nbsp;

But some of the world’s richest nations, including the US and Japan, are found much further down the list. Although the US ranks highly for per capita income, it is only ranked 18th out of 156 countries, substantially below most comparably wealthy nations. Subsequently, it may be true for some that wealth can lead to happiness but on a broader perspective – it doesn’t. It is possible to own many possessions, yet still be unfulfilled. That is because you may be lacking happiness and contentment with your own life.&nbsp;

Then again, a great number of people apparently have given up on happiness in this life over a learned or conditioned mentality of scarcity, sacrifice or resignation. The attitude to push away and degrade happiness as a form of selfishness, self-preoccupation and uncaring for others is predominant for many. Since happiness is so elusive for lots of people, some simply find it easier and more expedient to place their focus on their daily travails and challenges.&nbsp;

Attaining well-being – the tools &nbsp;

"You do not need ‘sign-up’ programmes to help you get there. One can achieve happiness, higher emotional, mental fitness through self-analysis and mindfulness," Anand advises. &nbsp;

"One can use analysis of our errors and inadvertencies, analysis of our transaction patterns with others and analysis of our dreams to uncover the long-buried sub-conscious hangovers. Once uncovered and when we non-judgmentally accept these parts of ourselves, we begin to heal and they cease to have the same hold on us,” Anand suggests. &nbsp;

“This non-judgmental awareness of ourselves if we are to incorporate frequently and then permanently as a mode of being, we would become mindful. Similarly, if we are able to use tools like meditation to examine the filters with which we process the world, to create space between ourselves and our reactions, we build on this clarity a fine edifice of well-being,” he further proposes. &nbsp;

Other lifestyle practices, hobbies, social associations, the balance between boredom and excitement, physical health - all take us to emotional and psychological well-being. &nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The phrase ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ may just have a deeper meaning than one would think. Work-related stress has been a pressing issue for decades and, surprisingly, not many people really make an effort towards addressing the matter.

The phrase ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ may just have a deeper meaning than one would think. Work-related stress has been a pressing issue for decades and, surprisingly, not many people really make an effort towards addressing the matter. A survey conducted by Cigna TTK Health Insurance this year indicated that 79 per cent Indians do not feel the need to or feel comfortable talking to a medical professional about stress. Stress levels are high in India compared with other developed and emerging countries, including the US, the UK, Germany, France, China, Brazil and Indonesia, according to the 2018 Cigna 360° Well-Being survey. About 89 per cent population in India admitted that they are suffering from stress compared to the global average of 86 per cent. It appears alarming that the majority of those respondents were millennials. How to know you are stressed? Most respondents in the Cigna TTK Health Insurance survey believed work and finances to be their source of constant worry. But there are many sources of stress – small or big – sometimes you may not even understand the cause of stress. “In urban professional life, whether employed or self-employed, there are external and internal sources of stress. External sources include family dynamics, parenting struggles, relationship stress, financial security, commuting, deadline pressure, information overload, sub-optimal health, office politics,” explains R Anand, author of recently published book “Happiness at work” and senior vice president (human resources) at HCL Technologies. Some internal sources of stress are - fear of harm to self, fear of harm to near and dear ones, fear of falling short, feeling excluded, being bullied, subjected to unwanted attention, bitterness and regret about the past. Our internal modes are a product of our early history and the first map we made of our self and the world, Anand says. “We tend to stick to this map and see everything in its light. This is an understandable shortcut and instinct when we were helpless and desperate children needing other people to survive. However, we carry this baggage too long after the rationale for it has perished.” “These biases are unconscious to us. Our helpless selves had buried this deep in our unconscious to overcome the immediate and overwhelming anxieties we were beset with. This is why these unconscious processes drive us significantly but we are unable to recognise the magnitude of their manipulations,” Anand unravels. Decision making under stress Stress plays a major role in decision making – be it every day or major professional and personal choices. Many decisions are made under stress, and many decision situations elicit stress responses themselves. Thus, stress and decision making are intricately connected, not only on the behavioural level but also on the neural level. All of us, just by being human, distort the way we perceive and decide.  The field of behavioural economics has documented these distortions very well. For example, all of us are loss averse and some are much more than others. We would forego opportunities so that we don't take the risk and exaggerated pain of a loss. When we are stressed and need to make a decision, we are more likely to bear in mind things that have been rewarding and to oversee information predicting negative consequences. “We also confuse the intensity of the event with the frequency of the event. If an event has large consequences, we somehow tell ourselves that it must occur often. This way the big worries drive us crazy, even though they are improbable,” Anand says. Happiness – finding the meaning and finding ‘it’ We know that stress is linked to physical and emotional problems, strained relationships, and serious mental health issues. But stress also affects health, well-being and happiness. And when we are unhappy, we often become disengaged, cynical, and toxic to others. Many people fall for the ‘follow this and everything will be okay’ advice. What many do not talk about is actually finding happiness within oneself. Moreover, happiness, as a subject, has not been studied thoroughly. There’s a lot of philosophical debate over what it actually means to “be happy,” but if you’re looking for concrete answers, it can leave you wanting. We all know what it feels like to be happy, but the actual source of our happiness has always been hard to pinpoint. “Happiness is a shallow word used for lots of things. The Eskimos had 350 words for snow! Our words to describe happiness, by contrast, does not even scratch the surface of the many nuances that are possible.” R Anand says. “Contrast this with the vocabulary for happiness in Tamil - Sugam (like sun on skin in winter), Santhosham (feeling happy), Sowkhyam (I’ve got what I need and in fact a bit more), Trupti (feeling satiated in a higher order manner, it is happiness with a connotation of feeling complete), Negizhchi (when your children do well or when someone praises them), Magizhchi (a childlike happiness at receiving an applause or after being artistically entertained),” he further elucidates. Finland tops the global happiness index, according to the World Happiness Report 2018, closely followed by Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland and the Netherlands. But some of the world’s richest nations, including the US and Japan, are found much further down the list. Although the US ranks highly for per capita income, it is only ranked 18th out of 156 countries, substantially below most comparably wealthy nations. Subsequently, it may be true for some that wealth can lead to happiness but on a broader perspective – it doesn’t. It is possible to own many possessions, yet still be unfulfilled. That is because you may be lacking happiness and contentment with your own life. Then again, a great number of people apparently have given up on happiness in this life over a learned or conditioned mentality of scarcity, sacrifice or resignation. The attitude to push away and degrade happiness as a form of selfishness, self-preoccupation and uncaring for others is predominant for many. Since happiness is so elusive for lots of people, some simply find it easier and more expedient to place their focus on their daily travails and challenges. Attaining well-being – the tools "You do not need ‘sign-up’ programmes to help you get there. One can achieve happiness, higher emotional, mental fitness through self-analysis and mindfulness," Anand advises. "One can use analysis of our errors and inadvertencies, analysis of our transaction patterns with others and analysis of our dreams to uncover the long-buried sub-conscious hangovers. Once uncovered and when we non-judgmentally accept these parts of ourselves, we begin to heal and they cease to have the same hold on us,” Anand suggests. “This non-judgmental awareness of ourselves if we are to incorporate frequently and then permanently as a mode of being, we would become mindful. Similarly, if we are able to use tools like meditation to examine the filters with which we process the world, to create space between ourselves and our reactions, we build on this clarity a fine edifice of well-being,” he further proposes. Other lifestyle practices, hobbies, social associations, the balance between boredom and excitement, physical health - all take us to emotional and psychological well-being. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Blog: Beating stress and seeking happiness

By J Brian Houston and Jennifer M First

 
When major disasters hit, the first priority is to keep people safe. This process can involve dramatic evacuations, rescues and searches.

However, after the initial emergency passes, a much longer process of recovering and rebuilding begins. For individuals, families and communities, this can last months or even years. This work often begins at the same time as the national media starts packing up and public attention shifts to the next major news story.

At the University of Missouri’s Disaster and Community Crisis Center, we study disaster recovery, rebuilding and resilience. Much of our research shows that natural disasters can have a meaningful impact on survivors’ mental and behavioural health. These issues typically emerge as people try to recover and move forward after the devastation.

Health and disasters 
 
Immediately after a natural disaster, it’s normal to experience fear, anxiety, sadness or shock. However, if these symptoms continue for weeks to months following the event, they may indicate a more serious psychological issue.

The disaster mental health problem most commonly studied by psychologists and psychiatrists is post-traumatic stress disorder, which can occur after frightening events that threaten one’s own life and the lives for family and friends.

Following a disaster, people might lose their jobs or be displaced from their homes. This can contribute to depression, particularly as survivors attempt to cope with loss related to the disaster. It’s not easy to lose sentimental possessions or face economic uncertainties. People facing these challenges can feel hopeless or in despair.

Substance use can increase following disasters, but usually only for individuals who already used tobacco, alcohol or drugs before the disaster. In a study of Hurricane Katrina survivors who had been displaced to Houston, Texas, approximately one-third reported increasing their tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use after the storm.

There’s also evidence that domestic violence increases in communities experiencing a disaster. After Hurricane Katrina, another study found that, among women in Mississippi who were displaced from their homes, domestic violence rates increased dramatically. Perpetrators may feel a loss of control following the disaster and turn to abusive behaviour to try to gain that control back in their personal relationships.

Disaster recovery 
 
While many disaster survivors show resilience, studies have shown mental and behavioural health issues cropping up weeks, months and even years after a disaster.

Rebuilding can be a long process, with a series of ups and downs. Survivors may bounce back after a few months, or they may experience ongoing stressors, such as financial issues or problems finding permanent housing. Disaster anniversaries or other reminders – like a heavy rainstorm months after a hurricane – may also trigger reactions.

In addition, early disaster recovery efforts often focus on physical reconstruction. Psychological recovery may end up on the back burner.

Individuals and organizations working to help disaster survivors need to remember that disasters can affect many aspects of survivors’ lives. As a result, several different community systems need to be working together as part of recovery efforts.

Researchers sometimes call the multi-agency disaster response and recovery network that is needed to help individuals cope with a disaster a &nbsp;“system of care.” A disaster system of care will include disaster groups like FEMA and Red Cross. It should also involve agencies representing public health, mental health, schools, local government, social services, local businesses and workforce development, faith-based organizations and local media.

For example, combating domestic violence after a disaster will require collaboration among disaster organizations, domestic violence groups, law enforcement, local media and more. Resources intended to help women and families experiencing domestic violence – such as legal aid or transportation assistance – should be included in disaster response programs.

Communities should also help disaster survivors get reconnected: to their friends and family, to new people in the community and to the place they may be temporarily staying while displaced. Social capital and support may be the most important resources for individuals coping with disasters. Community events, such as neighbourhood dinners, might help foster connections. Social media platforms can help bring together neighbours who are displaced and waiting to return home.

Finally, a variety of mental health interventions – such as psychological first aid, crisis counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy – can help those who have experienced a disaster. These programs can be delivered through many community systems, including mental health agencies, schools and more.

If you’re in the US and seeking help, a free Disaster Distress Helpline is available for disaster survivors.

(J Brian Houston is Associate Professor of Communication and Public Health, University of Missouri-Columbia; Jennifer M First&nbsp;Disaster Mental Health Program Manager, Disaster and Community Crisis Center, University of Missouri-Columbia)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-mental-health-impact-of-disasters-like-michael-irma-or-maria-83764">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By J Brian Houston and Jennifer M First When major disasters hit, the first priority is to keep people safe. This process can involve dramatic evacuations, rescues and searches.

By J Brian Houston and Jennifer M First When major disasters hit, the first priority is to keep people safe. This process can involve dramatic evacuations, rescues and searches. However, after the initial emergency passes, a much longer process of recovering and rebuilding begins. For individuals, families and communities, this can last months or even years. This work often begins at the same time as the national media starts packing up and public attention shifts to the next major news story. At the University of Missouri’s Disaster and Community Crisis Center, we study disaster recovery, rebuilding and resilience. Much of our research shows that natural disasters can have a meaningful impact on survivors’ mental and behavioural health. These issues typically emerge as people try to recover and move forward after the devastation. Health and disasters Immediately after a natural disaster, it’s normal to experience fear, anxiety, sadness or shock. However, if these symptoms continue for weeks to months following the event, they may indicate a more serious psychological issue. The disaster mental health problem most commonly studied by psychologists and psychiatrists is post-traumatic stress disorder, which can occur after frightening events that threaten one’s own life and the lives for family and friends. Following a disaster, people might lose their jobs or be displaced from their homes. This can contribute to depression, particularly as survivors attempt to cope with loss related to the disaster. It’s not easy to lose sentimental possessions or face economic uncertainties. People facing these challenges can feel hopeless or in despair. Substance use can increase following disasters, but usually only for individuals who already used tobacco, alcohol or drugs before the disaster. In a study of Hurricane Katrina survivors who had been displaced to Houston, Texas, approximately one-third reported increasing their tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use after the storm. There’s also evidence that domestic violence increases in communities experiencing a disaster. After Hurricane Katrina, another study found that, among women in Mississippi who were displaced from their homes, domestic violence rates increased dramatically. Perpetrators may feel a loss of control following the disaster and turn to abusive behaviour to try to gain that control back in their personal relationships. Disaster recovery While many disaster survivors show resilience, studies have shown mental and behavioural health issues cropping up weeks, months and even years after a disaster. Rebuilding can be a long process, with a series of ups and downs. Survivors may bounce back after a few months, or they may experience ongoing stressors, such as financial issues or problems finding permanent housing. Disaster anniversaries or other reminders – like a heavy rainstorm months after a hurricane – may also trigger reactions. In addition, early disaster recovery efforts often focus on physical reconstruction. Psychological recovery may end up on the back burner. Individuals and organizations working to help disaster survivors need to remember that disasters can affect many aspects of survivors’ lives. As a result, several different community systems need to be working together as part of recovery efforts. Researchers sometimes call the multi-agency disaster response and recovery network that is needed to help individuals cope with a disaster a “system of care.” A disaster system of care will include disaster groups like FEMA and Red Cross. It should also involve agencies representing public health, mental health, schools, local government, social services, local businesses and workforce development, faith-based organizations and local media. For example, combating domestic violence after a disaster will require collaboration among disaster organizations, domestic violence groups, law enforcement, local media and more. Resources intended to help women and families experiencing domestic violence – such as legal aid or transportation assistance – should be included in disaster response programs. Communities should also help disaster survivors get reconnected: to their friends and family, to new people in the community and to the place they may be temporarily staying while displaced. Social capital and support may be the most important resources for individuals coping with disasters. Community events, such as neighbourhood dinners, might help foster connections. Social media platforms can help bring together neighbours who are displaced and waiting to return home. Finally, a variety of mental health interventions – such as psychological first aid, crisis counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy – can help those who have experienced a disaster. These programs can be delivered through many community systems, including mental health agencies, schools and more. If you’re in the US and seeking help, a free Disaster Distress Helpline is available for disaster survivors. (J Brian Houston is Associate Professor of Communication and Public Health, University of Missouri-Columbia; Jennifer M First Disaster Mental Health Program Manager, Disaster and Community Crisis Center, University of Missouri-Columbia) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The mental health impact of disasters like Hurricane Michael or Irma

By Bhismadev Chakrabarti

The number of people diagnosed with a mental health condition is increasing, globally. Diagnostic labels can act as passports to accessing public services and help create communities of individuals with the same label. But are these reasons enough to justify their continued use? Getting a diagnostic label is no guarantee of getting the right treatment and it is often associated with worry and stigma.

Some say that they’re necessary for research. Scientists hope that diagnostic labels for mental health conditions will neatly correspond with specific physiological markers. But a definitive blood test or MRI-based brain marker for conditions such as autism and depression continues to elude scientists.

Also, mental health conditions have highly variable symptoms. They are not clear cut like other medical conditions, such as bone fractures or tooth decay. And a broken bone today is the same as a broken bone in ancient Greece. However, diagnostic criteria for mental health conditions keep shifting, even over relatively short periods of time.

A recent report showed that over a fifth of people diagnosed of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), using diagnostic criteria from 2004, would not receive the same diagnosis based on the latest criteria, published in 2013. To add to the confusion, many people can have more than one diagnostic label – a phenomenon known as “comorbidity”.

The inherent lack of precision in defining the diagnostic label, the changing criteria with time and the rarity of pure examples of a specific mental health condition vastly reduce the usefulness of diagnostic labels in guiding research. Indeed, the National Institute of Health in the US recognised this problem some years ago and called for a new approach to researching mental health conditions. This approach, called the research domain criteria (RDoC), focuses on studying traits across the general population and their underlying biology, rather than on specific diagnostic labels.

From a treatment point of view, knowing the diagnostic label alone is hardly ever enough information to decide the best course of action. For example, a person with a diagnosis of ASD might have significant sensory issues, while another might struggle more with language. These two people will benefit from very different interventions. It’s not an overstatement to say there is no one-size-fits-all intervention for any mental health diagnostic label. So the usefulness of a diagnostic label for choosing the right treatment is limited.

 
The approach of focusing on the person rather than the label is known as precision psychiatry. This customised approach seeks to target the specific symptoms experienced by the individual in light of his or her genetic, social and cultural background. Hippocrates echoed a similar sentiment over two millennia ago when he stated, " It’s far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has.

Public health

A significant part of my work is in developing countries where there is a shortage of specialists who can provide a diagnosis. For most mental health conditions, early intervention is critical – it is associated with the best outcomes. Delays in getting a diagnostic label lead to delays in getting treatment in these countries and so can result in a reduced chance to benefit from the intervention.

If getting support for mental health issues did not have to rely heavily on the diagnostic label, then access to treatment could be accelerated by involving non-specialists from the community and families. Health workers with little or no clinical training, such as those involved in vaccination drives, could be trained to identify people at risk of having or developing mental health conditions, as is being done in our current project in India.

Families of people identified of being at risk of a mental health condition can then be trained to apply simple behavioural interventions that have been shown to be effective. This approach of identifying at-risk people early and using simple non-specialist behavioural interventions is associated with significantly better mental health outcomes in children and adolescents. Crucially, this approach does not rely on getting a formal diagnostic label.

At a time when rates of diagnosis for mental health conditions keep spiralling upward, it is worth imagining a world without diagnostic labels: one where an individual is assessed on his or her functional needs and receives care based on the specific needs rather than a somewhat arbitrary label. A world without stigma due to these labels. And a world where scientists focus their search on understanding the biology of behaviour across the entire population, rather than create arbitrary groups of people defined by their labels as “cases” and “controls”.

(Bhismadev Chakrabarti Professor of Neuroscience &amp; Mental Health, University of Reading)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the&nbsp;<a href="https://theconversation.com/diagnostic-labels-for-mental-health-conditions-are-not-always-useful-102943">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Bhismadev Chakrabarti The number of people diagnosed with a mental health condition is increasing, globally. Diagnostic labels can act as passports to accessing public services and help create communities of individuals with the same label.

By Bhismadev Chakrabarti The number of people diagnosed with a mental health condition is increasing, globally. Diagnostic labels can act as passports to accessing public services and help create communities of individuals with the same label. But are these reasons enough to justify their continued use? Getting a diagnostic label is no guarantee of getting the right treatment and it is often associated with worry and stigma. Some say that they’re necessary for research. Scientists hope that diagnostic labels for mental health conditions will neatly correspond with specific physiological markers. But a definitive blood test or MRI-based brain marker for conditions such as autism and depression continues to elude scientists. Also, mental health conditions have highly variable symptoms. They are not clear cut like other medical conditions, such as bone fractures or tooth decay. And a broken bone today is the same as a broken bone in ancient Greece. However, diagnostic criteria for mental health conditions keep shifting, even over relatively short periods of time. A recent report showed that over a fifth of people diagnosed of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), using diagnostic criteria from 2004, would not receive the same diagnosis based on the latest criteria, published in 2013. To add to the confusion, many people can have more than one diagnostic label – a phenomenon known as “comorbidity”. The inherent lack of precision in defining the diagnostic label, the changing criteria with time and the rarity of pure examples of a specific mental health condition vastly reduce the usefulness of diagnostic labels in guiding research. Indeed, the National Institute of Health in the US recognised this problem some years ago and called for a new approach to researching mental health conditions. This approach, called the research domain criteria (RDoC), focuses on studying traits across the general population and their underlying biology, rather than on specific diagnostic labels. From a treatment point of view, knowing the diagnostic label alone is hardly ever enough information to decide the best course of action. For example, a person with a diagnosis of ASD might have significant sensory issues, while another might struggle more with language. These two people will benefit from very different interventions. It’s not an overstatement to say there is no one-size-fits-all intervention for any mental health diagnostic label. So the usefulness of a diagnostic label for choosing the right treatment is limited. The approach of focusing on the person rather than the label is known as precision psychiatry. This customised approach seeks to target the specific symptoms experienced by the individual in light of his or her genetic, social and cultural background. Hippocrates echoed a similar sentiment over two millennia ago when he stated, " It’s far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has. Public health A significant part of my work is in developing countries where there is a shortage of specialists who can provide a diagnosis. For most mental health conditions, early intervention is critical – it is associated with the best outcomes. Delays in getting a diagnostic label lead to delays in getting treatment in these countries and so can result in a reduced chance to benefit from the intervention. If getting support for mental health issues did not have to rely heavily on the diagnostic label, then access to treatment could be accelerated by involving non-specialists from the community and families. Health workers with little or no clinical training, such as those involved in vaccination drives, could be trained to identify people at risk of having or developing mental health conditions, as is being done in our current project in India. Families of people identified of being at risk of a mental health condition can then be trained to apply simple behavioural interventions that have been shown to be effective. This approach of identifying at-risk people early and using simple non-specialist behavioural interventions is associated with significantly better mental health outcomes in children and adolescents. Crucially, this approach does not rely on getting a formal diagnostic label. At a time when rates of diagnosis for mental health conditions keep spiralling upward, it is worth imagining a world without diagnostic labels: one where an individual is assessed on his or her functional needs and receives care based on the specific needs rather than a somewhat arbitrary label. A world without stigma due to these labels. And a world where scientists focus their search on understanding the biology of behaviour across the entire population, rather than create arbitrary groups of people defined by their labels as “cases” and “controls”. (Bhismadev Chakrabarti Professor of Neuroscience & Mental Health, University of Reading) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Diagnostic labels for mental health conditions are not always useful

One of the first few celebrities in India to have openly talked about mental health, Deepika Padukone has always tried to spread awareness about depression. The actress, who had admitted to have suffered from depression a few years back, even started a foundation The Live Love Laugh Foundation to spread more awareness about mental health.&nbsp; 
 
Following the death of designer Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, Deepika has shared a note of her organisation on Instagram reiterating the importance of reach out.&nbsp; 
 
Both Spade and Bourdain committed suicide and reportedly were suffering from depression.&nbsp; 
 
“Every 40 seconds a person dies by suicide,” the note begins, quoting WHO statistics. “Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain were pioneers in their fields... and to the outside world they ‘had it all’ and were seemingly ‘happy’”.

But despite 'having it all', the did suffer from depression, Deepika pointed out. " The element of depression that is grossly misunderstood is that you have control over your illness,” the post continues. “Asking someone to ‘snap out of it’ is like telling a person with a broken foot to continue walking.”

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px margin-bottom:0 margin-top:8px overflow:hidden padding:8px 0 7px text-align:center text-overflow:ellipsis white-space:nowrap">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/deepikapadukone/" style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px" target="_blank"> Deepika Padukone</a> (@deepikapadukone) on <time datetime="2018-06-12T10:08:35+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px">Jun 12, 2018 at 3:08am PDT</time>
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The organisation also aims at sensitising people about mental health and removing the stigma around the disease. 
 
Noted for her designer bags and jewellery, Kate Spade was found dead in her Manhattan apartment on June 5. Her death was ruled a suicide by hanging. She was 55. Her husband later revealed that she had battled depression for years. The US suicide hotline saw a 25% increase in phone calls following Spade’s death. 
 
Just a few days after Spade's suicide, on June 8, celebrated chef and TV presenter Anthony Bourdain hanged himself in his hotel room in France. He was reportedly suffering from depression as well.&nbsp; 
 
Deepika has on multiple occassions spoken about depression and her personal battle with the disease. “There’s absolutely no shame if you suffer from depression,” Deepika wrote in an article in 2017 for a daily.&nbsp;

Deepika Padukone wrote about how it is important to remove the stigma around the disease.

One of the first few celebrities in India to have openly talked about mental health, Deepika Padukone has always tried to spread awareness about depression. The actress, who had admitted to have suffered from depression a few years back, even started a foundation The Live Love Laugh Foundation to spread more awareness about mental health. Following the death of designer Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, Deepika has shared a note of her organisation on Instagram reiterating the importance of reach out. Both Spade and Bourdain committed suicide and reportedly were suffering from depression. “Every 40 seconds a person dies by suicide,” the note begins, quoting WHO statistics. “Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain were pioneers in their fields... and to the outside world they ‘had it all’ and were seemingly ‘happy’”. But despite 'having it all', the did suffer from depression, Deepika pointed out. " The element of depression that is grossly misunderstood is that you have control over your illness,” the post continues. “Asking someone to ‘snap out of it’ is like telling a person with a broken foot to continue walking.” #Repost @tlllfoundation with @get_repost ・・・ #YouAreNotAlone #TogetherAgainstDepression we can make a difference. #MentalHealthAwareness | #MentalHealthMatters | #EndTheStigma A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Jun 12, 2018 at 3:08am PDT × The organisation also aims at sensitising people about mental health and removing the stigma around the disease. Noted for her designer bags and jewellery, Kate Spade was found dead in her Manhattan apartment on June 5. Her death was ruled a suicide by hanging. She was 55. Her husband later revealed that she had battled depression for years. The US suicide hotline saw a 25% increase in phone calls following Spade’s death. Just a few days after Spade's suicide, on June 8, celebrated chef and TV presenter Anthony Bourdain hanged himself in his hotel room in France. He was reportedly suffering from depression as well. Deepika has on multiple occassions spoken about depression and her personal battle with the disease. “There’s absolutely no shame if you suffer from depression,” Deepika wrote in an article in 2017 for a daily.

Deepika Padukone posts a message on depression in the wake of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain's suicide

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