Keeping the topic of mental health in the news is in itself a challenge

World Mental Health Day has continuously been celebrated over the years at top forums drawing much government support. This is despite the fact that being mentally challenged is viewed with all its negativity; not forgetting the stigma associated with patients.

This year too this important day will be celebrated on October 10 and Sri Lanka, like Australia, has dedicated a week to mark the day with many special events.

Senior Occupational Therapist at the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) and Visiting Lecturer at the Mental Faculty at the Kelaniya University Ashoka Sanjeewa Withanarachchi speaking to the Daily Mirror underscored that efforts must be taken at all times to enhance mental health of not only a particular challenged group, but also to take into account the lives of everyone starting from childhood to adulthood. This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is ‘Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority’.

In this island many people have had their share of adversity and the not so strong ones have ended up cracking up or getting mentally disturbed. When one reviews the journey they’ve made through these challenging times and the support they’ve received from an institute like the NIMH there are much positives that can be taken from such contexts.

Since keeping the people happy is not part of the political agenda much needs to be done in this aspect. What’s needed most is creating awareness regarding the topic Mental Health

- Ashoka  Sanjeewa Senior Occupational Therapist NIMH

But according to Withanarachchi since keeping the people happy is not part of the political agenda much needs to be done in this aspect. 

Most of the experts on mental health this writer spoke to underscored the fact that what’s needed most is creating awareness regarding the topic.

However keeping the topic in the news throughout the year is a challenge too big to handle. Withanarachchi recalled how once a television station turned down a request to air a programme aimed at raising mental well-being among physically challenged people. The television station had refused to air such a programme saying that it would adversely affect their ratings.  

I hope that the government and non-governmental organizations will pay attention towards the improvement of patients who are suffering from various kinds of mental illnesses all over the world

- Dr. Jayan Mendis

Even discussions regarding the topic of someone in the family suffering from depression can be viewed with much negativity. According to Withanarachchi he even refuses to use the word ‘patient’ or ‘inmate’ for those suffering from depression. Despite the fact that the dictionary permitting the use of such terms Withanarachchi stated that he prefers to use the word ‘client’ or the phrase ‘mental health service user’ to ensure that there is no hard feelings.
World Mental Health Day was first celebrated in 1992 thanks to the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health with the participation of representatives of more than 150 countries. Dr. Jayan Mendis, Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry at the Kotalawela Defence University, Senior Psychiatrist and Founder Director of the NIMH and Past President of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists when contacted said that this year’s theme for ‘World Mental Health Day’ is a timely and necessary theme considering the varied stresses Sri Lanka has been subject to like the Easter Bombings, the Covid pandemic and at present the economic and agriculture crisis in the country. “I hope that the government and non-governmental organizations will pay attention towards the improvement of patients who are suffering from various kinds of mental illnesses all over the world,” said Dr. Mendis.

According to Withanarachchi there is support for the cause of treating the mentally challenged people from a top non-government organization like Consumer Action Network Mental Health Lanka (CANMH). He went on to add that Asia Foundation and Mano Mithuro had come forward to finance some of the events lined up for World Mental Health Day celebrations this year apart from the financial assistance provided by the Ministry of Health.
Sunil Nanayakkara, Chairman and Operations Director of CANMH Lanka, when contacted said that it’s important to minimize stigma by reducing the rate of suicide in Sri Lanka and also safeguard the rights of mentally challenged people. “In Monaragala where I reside the suicide rate has been quite high. Hence the CANMH is focused on promoting mental well-being, putting a stop to suicide, helping mentally challenged people to safeguard their rights and sharing life experiences,” said Nanayakkara.

Withanarachchi refuses to use the word ‘patient’ or ‘inmate’ for those suffering from depression. Despite the fact that the dictionary permitting the use of such terms Withanarachchi stated that he prefers to use the word ‘client’ or the phrase ‘mental health service user’ to ensure that there is no hard feelings

There are many inspiring stories surfacing from institutes like NIMH where mentally challenged people do recover strongly and return to society to carry on with life and activities which had once come to a standstill. Soft toys designer Dilani de Silva is one such product. She was once receiving treatment for depression and now works closely with the health authorities at NIMH to help mentally challenged people to make a comeback to life. “I volunteer as a worker who uses art as a therapy and work with mentally challenged people. You need that extra help to bring hidden skills out when you are down and receiving treatment. I must mention the contributions made to my life and others by Dr. Mehta. And more than anything else mentally challenged people need love and affection, good doctors and care workers and also some luck to be shown the door to recovery. I think I fall among the lucky ones who were able to make a return to life,” said De Silva who also received training in India in the use art as a therapy to help mentally challenged people in the process of recovery. At present she earns a living as a soft toys designer and manufacturer.

In Monaragala where I reside the suicide rate has been quite high. Hence the CANMH is focused on promoting mental well-being, putting a stop to suicide, helping mentally challenged people to safeguard their rights and sharing life experiences

- Sunil Nanayakkara, Chairman CANMH Lanka

However, despite the success stories here, Sri Lanka sees some of her challenges regarding combating mental health issues mounting. In the past only a few medical college graduates have taken to the profession of being involved in mental health because of the challenges involved in it and better opportunities available in other areas of the medical profession. In recent years Sri Lanka suffered immensely because of the pandemic with challenges mounting at mental hospitals when it came to looking after patients. The pandemic took away the lives of many patients. Now the next challenge is qualified medical professionals leaving the country in search of greener pastures and Dr. Mendis confirmed this. Being aware of the needs of mentally challenged people is the responsibility of all citizens and Sri Lanka is struggling more than ever before in this endeavor due to the brain drain and economic crisis.

Come the week that celebrates World Mental Health Day we’ll see special events being lined up for the mentally challenged to showcase art and craft skills and to display abilities to ride bicycles (there is a bicycle parade scheduled as part of celebrations). Their journeys in life must go on after these events and the hands that make these creations must be nurtured for the future worthwhile assignments like supporting hand to mouth existence once they are discharged from the mental hospital. All this and much more because even the mentally challenged people have a right to stare at life in the face and fight adversity with courage and determination. A lucky few like Dilani have overcome much adversities and even got the opportunity to write all those experiences in a biography.

More than anything else mentally challenged people need love and affection, good doctors and care workers and also some luck to be shown the door to recovery. I think I fall among the lucky ones who were able to make a return to life

- Soft toys designer Dilani de Silva