World Mental Health Day was celebrated today by Health Block Bandipora under the aegis of D.C Bandipora and on the directions of Director, Health Services Kashmir. The day is officially commemorated every year on October 10th and this year the day was observed under the theme 'Mental health in an unequal world'.
Speaking on the occasion, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Bandipora, Dr Masrat said that pandemic has affected everyone and people with long term health conditions or facing discrimination or parenting on their own are struggling the most and need more support.
“Along with treatment gap, we must address workplace stress, help adolescents in schools and also caregivers and families of people living with mental health issues”, said the BMO adding, “We need to proactively address stigma and discrimination associated with mental ill health that creates barrier to access care and treatment”.
World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity to talk about mental health in general, how to break the stigma around it, and the importance of speaking out when struggling with a mental health issue, Incharge HWC Binilipora Dr Jahangir Ahmad said in his address.