AJIMS and LMCN host ‘Depression-Let’s Talk’ to Mark World Health Day
A J Institute of Medical Sciences and Laxmi Memorial College of Nursing host “Depression-Let’s Talk” to mark ‘World Health Day’
“Depression is the feeling of someone whispering in your ear and telling you that you are worthless. Every time you make a mistake, you keep getting reminded of it, it’s never painless. From these mistakes, it makes you reckless. Now you ask yourself, is my life priceless or worthless ? Depression in life is like a bruise that never goes away. A bruise in your mind. You just got to be careful not to touch it where it hurts. It’s always there, though. Everything is a battle, every breath is a war, and I don’t think I’m winning anymore.This Thinking is called Depression.”
Mangaluru: Depression: Let’s Talk” says World Health Organization (WHO), as depression tops list of causes of ill health. While celebrating the World Health Day on April 7, WHO has come up with a theme “Depression-Let’s Talk” to mark this day. Depression is the leading cause of ill-health and disability worldwide. According to the latest estimates from WHO, more than 300 million people are now living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005 and 2015. Lack of support for people with mental disorders, coupled with a fear of stigma, prevent many from accessing the treatment they need to live healthy, productive lives.
The new estimates have been released in the lead-up to World Health Day on 7 April, the high point in WHO’s year-long campaign “Depression: let’s talk”. The overall goal of the campaign is that more people with depression, everywhere in the world, both seek and get help. These new figures are a wake-up call for all countries to re-think their approaches to mental health and to treat it with the urgency that it deserves. To mark “World Health Day” (which is actually on 7 April), but AJ Institute of Medical Sciences (AJIMS)-Mangaluru in collaboration with Laxmi Memorial College of Nursing (LMCN) -Mangaluru (dept. of Psychiatry, AJIMS and Dept. of Psychiatric Nursing, LMCN) organized a Regional Conference on “Depression-Let’s Talk” ( a World Health Day theme) on Wednesday, 5 April, 2017 at AJIMS Auditorium.
The programme began with an invocation through a prayer song rendered by Clarita Lobo, faculty at LMCN, followed by welcome address by Dr Ravish Thunga A- HOD of Dept. of Psychiatry, AJ Medical College. Dr Thereza Mathais- HOD of Dept. of Psychiatric Nursing, LMCN gave a brief significance of World Health Day and its Theme. She said, ” The objectives of the Conference was that -the individuals attending the conference will be better informing the public about depression, its causes and its consequences; Identify persons in depression at the earliest; Reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, including depression; and Learn how to become a source of support for a depressed person”.
The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by Chief guest- Dr CB Vedamurthy- Additional Superintendent of Police, Mangaluru, along with other dignitaries on the dais namely- Guest of honour, Dr VV Mohan Chandran-Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangaluru; Dr Ashok Hegde- Dean, AJIMS; Dr Larissa Martha Sams- Principal, LMCN; Dr Ravish Thunga and Dr Thereza Mathias. Addressing the audience, chief guest Dr Vedamurthy expressed his heartfelt thanks to Dr Ravish Thunga for treating his mother who was ailing with psychiatric symptoms, and now recovered under Dr Thunga’s care.
Dr Vedamurthy said, ” If you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just is, like the weather. Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do. People with depression need someone to talk to them all the time, share with them the views and news and make them happy. I am happy that my dad is taking care of my mother in her depression. The theme “Depression-Let’s talk” by WHO is indeed a very goof theme in the present scenario around us”.
Dr Mohan Chandran speaking on the occasion said, “For someone living with depression, talking to a person they trust is often the first step towards treatment and recovery. Increased investment is also needed. In our country, there is no, or very little, support available for people with mental health disorders. Nearly 80% of people with depression do not get treatment. WHO has identified strong links between depression and other noncommunicable disorders and diseases. Depression increases the risk of substance use disorders and diseases such as diabetes and heart disease; the opposite is also true, meaning that people with these other conditions have a higher risk of depression. Depression is also an important risk factor for suicide, which claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Diabetes can lead to depression, similarly, depression can lead to diabetes. A better understanding of depression and how it can be treated, while essential, is just the beginning. What needs to follow is sustained scale-up of mental health services accessible to everyone, even the most remote populations in the world.”
Dean of AJIMS, Dr Ashok Hegde said, ” The theme for today’s conference by WHO “Depression -Let’s Talk” is quite appropriate. Depression is a common mental illness characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that people normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for 14 days or longer. In addition, people with depression normally have several of the following: a loss of energy; a change in appetite; sleeping more or less; anxiety; reduced concentration; indecisiveness; restlessness; feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness; and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. This seminar will surely bring awareness on depression and will help the society in a big scale”.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Jaison Jacob- Assistant professor in Psychiatry, LMCN, while the programme was compered by Miss Athira T Devaraj-Assistant lecturer and Ms Swathi Sachin, lecturer, both at LMCN. Following the formal programme, sessions were held on topics like “How much is too much-Let’s Talk” by Dr Ravish Thunga; “Make Sadness more understandable” by DR VV Mohan Chandran; “Treat me when my life is not worth living” by Dr Srinivasa Bhat- Prof. Dept of Psychiatry, KS Hegde Medical Academy, Mangaluru; and “Pathway towards Healthy Mind” by Dr (Sr) Alphonsa Ancheril -Vice Principal, Prof. and HOD, Dept of Psychiatric Nursing, Athena College of Nursing, Mangaluru.
In conclusion, Depression affects people of all ages, from all walks of life. It causes mental anguish and impacts on one’s ability to carry out even the simplest everyday tasks, with sometimes devastating consequences for relationships with family and friends and the ability to earn a living. At worst, depression can lead to suicide, now the second leading cause of death among a younger generation. Yet, depression can be prevented and treated. A better understanding of what depression is, and how it can be prevented and treated, will help to reduce the stigma associated with the condition and lead to more people seeking help.
Depression presents itself as realism regarding the rottenness of the world in general and the rottenness of your life in a particular thing. But the realism is merely a mask for depression’s actual essence, which is an overwhelming estrangement from humanity. The more persuaded you are of your unique access to the rottenness, the more afraid you become of engaging with the world; and the less you engage with the world, the more perfidiously happy-faced the rest of humanity seems for continuing to fight with it.”So this conference is for everyone, whatever the age, sex or social status. The WHO has chosen to pay particular attention to three groups that are disproportionally affected: adolescents and young adults; women of childbearing age; and older adults.