World Mental Health Day observed in Mangalore

World Mental Health Day observed in Mangalore

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 10: The department of psychiatry at Kasturba Medical College Mangalore in association with Wenlock District Hospital and Manaswini Mangalore organized a mental health awareness event in observance of World Mental Health Day at RAPCC Conference Hall on Oct 10 Monday. 

Justice H. R. Deshpande, the principal district and sessions judge, inaugurated the event and said in his inaugural address that the UNO launched the observance of World Mental Health Day in 1992. Speaking about the importance of preserving mental health, he said that losing one’s mental health is easy because all are leading mechanical and stressful lives at present.

He said that awareness regarding this matter should be created in rural areas too. 

Dr. K. S. Madhav Rao, the senior consultant psychiatrist, said in his keynote address that there are 100 – 150 psychiatrists per million people in foreign countries, but only 2 – 3 psychiatrists per million people in India. 

He also stated that around 3000 people commit suicide per day all over the globe, with many of them killing themselves because of mental illness. He spoke of the importance of conducting awareness programs in schools because the number of children committing suicide is on the rise these days. 

Dr. Ravish Thunga delivered the welcome address. Dr. Arun Rao, Dr. Venkat Rao, Dr. Saroja, and many others were also present.