SIVASAGAR, April 10 - The Indian Medical Association, Sivasagar chapter, observed the World Health Day along with the rest of the world by organising a talk on the WHO theme for the year �Depression: Let�s Talk� in Sivasagar Yuva Dal Auditorium on April 7. Delivering his speech as the guest speaker, renowned psychiatrist, specialist writer and actor, Dr Jayanta Das said that over 322 million people in the world are suffering from depression, out of which 80 million are Indians, making India country having the most number of depressed people. He said that one out of every five persons is depressed and women are more vulnerable. He said that depression leads to suicides, especially among the youths in the age group of 15 to 29 years.
Describing the present scenario, Dr Das said that there are just three psychiatrists among a million people in India. The problem of mental ill health that surfaces in any society is only the tip of the iceberg and the real problem is simply unfathomable. He added that depression is the second largest cause of death worldwide after heart ailments and it is projected that by 2030, depression will be single most cause of death anywhere due to growing conflicts, tension, broken families and disintegrated community life.
Dr Das said that to counter the growing problem, a concerted effort of all sections of the society is necessary, besides supporting government and WHO programmes. Government initiative in India is not at all sufficient, he added. India spends a meagre 0.04 % of the Budget in mental health programmes which is less than what Bangladesh spends.
Another appointed speaker, Dr Parag Rajkhowa, Asst Professor, Sibsagar College in his speech highlighted the causes of depression and the need for an inclusive approach to control emotional breakdowns, stress and anxiety in the modern world.
Earlier, Dr Dilip Boruah, vice-president, IMA, Sivasagar, welcomed the speakers and said that the WHO has been striving continuously since 1948 to eradicate the maladies afflicting humans. Dr Ripun Borpujari, Jt Director Health, Sivasagar , said that identification or diagnosis of psychiatric patients is a major challenge. Dr Prasanta Pratim Sarma, Dr Surajit Giri, Dr Udayaditya Rajkonwar also addressed the gathering.
