Has our outlook towards mental health changed for the better or worse?

Are you mental? - how easily do we throw this around... And the answer is yes. And the next question "Who isn't?" Yet, those actually in the throes of a mental illness aren't looked at very favourably, as opposed to all the sympathy, bouquets and 'get well soons' someone down with a physical illness gets.

Illustration/Ravi Jadhav

With more and more celebrities coming out in the open about battling depression, anxiety or any other disease of the mind, there's better hope on the horizon of increased acceptance and less stigma. But without more awareness and understanding of what happens in the brain of a mentally ill person, it's doubtful if patients will feel comfortable speaking their mind.

A word from the healers

Dr Harish Shetty, psychiatrist, Lilavati hospital
'I think the stigma has faded off to an extent; people are coming forward to talk about their mental health issues. In fact, there has been a 500 per cent rise in awareness. However, there's also been nearly a 1,000 per cent in cases of mental illness in the present day. While the health-care set-up to tackle this needs strengthening, it's important that people stay open about this and ask for help'

Dr Avinash De Sousa, consulting psychiatrist
'A lot is being done to tackle mental health issues. Earlier, a mere visit to a psychiatrist would get you branded as crazy. Now, that's not the case; the youth is more aware and accepting of this than others. Even schools are hiring in-house psychiatrists to counsel students, parents and even teachers. Also, online consultation is gaining huge momentum with rising use of social media, connecting rural patients with doctors in the city through video-conferencing'

Dr Sagar Mundada, psychiatrist, KEM hospital
'The omnipresence of social media has increased forms of mental illness. Nowadays, we have apps for everything; so, instead of using our grey matter, we are dependent on technology, which is affecting our memory as well as personal development. This is giving rise to new illnesses - digital amnesia, Facebook depression, social media rage and Internet addiction. But the good news is awareness has increased, so much so that even rural folk are seeking help immediately'