Hyderabad, Jul 31: Telangana Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan Today called for increased awareness on mental health issues.

Speaking after virtually launching the seventh annual conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Telangana State (TSPSYCON-2021), from t Raj Bhavan here, she said that due to lack of mental health awareness, many people and their families have been suffering silently.

“Mental health is an essential and integral part of health, the Governor said it is just not the absence of mental illness, it is the foundation for well-being and effective functioning of individuals’.

Mental health is one of the leading non-communicable diseases ailing the world, Dr. Soundararajan said the prevalence of psychiatric disorders has witnessed a massive increase since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor said that if diagnosed and treated early, it will not result in serious consequences.

“The family members and others must not stigmatize mental illness and instead, they should support the affected and help them recover by seeking professional medical help,” she said.

Dr. Soundararajan expressed concern that every sixth Indian need help on mental health, as studies are indicating that India is likely to incur a huge loss of around 1.3 Trillion US dollars between 2012 and 2030 due to these mental health issues affecting a large number of people.

The Governor lauded that some celebrities have started openly discussing the mental health issues and the trauma that they went through and how they bounced back with the medical help and termed it as a welcome sign. (UNI)