Mental patients on the rise

A Bangla daily reports that the number of mental patients in the country is on the rise. On an average, 34 of every 100 persons are victims of mental diseases. This is really an upsetting piece of information.

The Health Bulletin 2018 published by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) says that 16.01 per cent people of the country suffer from mental diseases. The proportion is higher among youngsters--- 18.01 per cent of below 18 years of the country's population are mental patients, the bulletin mentions.

Some reasons for mental diseases in Bangladesh are unemployment, neglect suffered in family and work place, lack of peaceful atmosphere in family, replacement of joint family by single family, addiction to technology and drug, lack of discipline in personal life etc.

It is alarming that youngsters are suffering from mental diseases more than adults. The reasons for their mental disturbances are their stay alone at home, addiction to smart phones and computers etc. They have made an imaginary world, which is not similar to the practical world. Therefore, they suffer from loneliness and distress in the long run. As for adults, they are also addicted to virtual virus--various social media sites such as Facebook, Youtube etc.--making them feel lonely and suffer from depression.

Those who suffer from loneliness and frustration become addicted to drug, immoral sexual activity, militancy etc.

We need to address the mental health issue on an urgent basis. We will make sure that our youngsters remain busy in sports, cultural and social activities and are not in an unhealthy competition to do good in academic exams which creates a mental pressure on them.

Hosne Ara

Dhanmondi, Dhaka