In an era marked by constant flux and unrelenting demands, the imperative of mental well-being has emerged as a cornerstone of modern life. ‘Refocusing our priorities: A definitive guide to mental health wellness’ serves as a beacon amidst the tumult, offering readers a comprehensive roadmap towards psychological resilience and fulfilment. Through a blend of research-backed strategies, practical advice, and introspective exercises, this guide empowers individuals to reclaim agency over their mental health journey. From stress management techniques to fostering self-compassion, each page is a testament to the transformative power of prioritising mental wellness in an increasingly chaotic world.
In a conversation with Vidit Bahri, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer, of Sukoon Health we found different aspects of how the focus needs to be turned to mental health.
Q1. Could you provide an overview of the current state of mental health care in South India, including any notable trends or challenges specific to the region?
In South India, the current state of mental health care reflects both progress and challenges. According to data from the Lancet report, there has been a significant prevalence of common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance-use disorders, as well as severe mental disorders including schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, and bipolar disorders.
These findings underscore the substantial burden of mental health issues in the region. Substance-use disorders are notably more common among men, while mood disorders appear to be more prevalent among women.
Despite increasing awareness and efforts to expand mental health services, challenges persist. The stigma surrounding mental health remains a significant barrier to seeking help, compounded by cultural beliefs and misconceptions.
The report also highlights the increasing burden of mental disorders in India over the years, with mental health conditions contributing significantly to the overall disease burden. According to a detailed study by The Lancet on “The Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2017,” Karnataka reports a prevalence of 3,500 cases per 100,000 population across various mental health conditions (without making a distinction for severity), highlighting the urgent need for enhanced mental health care infrastructure.
In conclusion, while strides have been made in mental health care in South India, addressing stigma, improving workforce capacity, and strengthening mental health infrastructure are crucial to effectively address the diverse mental health needs of the population.
Q2. Are there any significant disparities in access to mental health services between urban and rural areas in South India, and what initiatives are being taken to bridge this gap?
The biggest challenge in India’s mental health landscape is undoubtedly the shortage of professionals. This scarcity exacerbates the existing issues, particularly in regions where mental health resources are already sparse. Additionally, there’s a prevailing cultural stigma attached to discussing mental health concerns openly and seeking help for them.
Urban areas tend to have better access to professionals and facilities, whereas rural regions face significant shortages. This gap results in an increased treatment gap and exacerbates the burden on already overwhelmed government institutions.
To address these challenges, various initiatives are being undertaken. Firstly, there’s a growing emphasis on leveraging technology to make mental health care more accessible in tier 2 and 3 cities.
Online counselling platforms are being utilised to connect individuals with mental health professionals, bridging the geographical divide.
Moreover, efforts are being made to develop innovative models of care delivery tailored to the needs of rural populations.
This includes mobile clinics, community outreach programs, and training local healthcare workers to provide basic mental health support.
Furthermore, there’s a push to increase the number of mental health professionals, especially in underserved areas.
This involves incentivising professionals to work in rural settings, expanding mental health education and training programs, and advocating for policy changes to improve workforce distribution.
Additionally, initiatives are underway to address the financial barriers to accessing mental health care. This includes advocating for better insurance coverage for mental health services.
Q3. Can you elaborate on the unique aspects of Sukoon Health’s mental health facility in Bangalore, particularly regarding its approach to patient care and treatment methodologies?
Located on New Bel Road in North Bengaluru, Sukoon’s facility offers both inpatient and outpatient treatments, ensuring that individuals receive holistic care tailored to their specific needs.
With a team of seasoned psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and counsellors, Sukoon embodies a comprehensive approach to mental health care, addressing every aspect of an individual’s well-being with expertise and empathy. In a first in India, Sukoon Health provides cashless insurance coverage for patients seeking psychiatric inpatient care.
The mental health conditions covered include bipolar disorder, acute depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, mood disorder, psychotic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Q4. Sukoon Health has taken significant strides in transforming mental health care in India. Could you share some insights into the challenges you’ve encountered and the innovative solutions you’ve implemented to address them?
One of the biggest challenges we have tried to solve and continue to solve at Sukoon has been our communication to individuals in need, caregivers and the wider healthcare ecosystem.
This helps break the taboo surrounding serious mental health diagnoses and helps the ecosystem realise that inpatient care is an intervention available for preventative care in addition to crisis intervention.
Clinical community building is a top priority for us – all clinicians need to understand different treatment modalities in an inpatient hospital for mental health.
We intend to communicate to the clinical community that-with Sukoon, India now has a patient-centric, globally benchmarked, and evidence-based mental health service provider.
Q5. Could you provide examples of how Sukoon Health’s multidisciplinary team approach has led to improved patient outcomes or innovative treatment strategies?
At Sukoon, what differentiates us is that we follow a very personalised approach to treatment. Each resident, regardless of what services he/she comes in for, is assigned a multidisciplinary team, which consists of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, psychiatric social workers, pharmacists, head nurses, and art-based therapists.
These clinicians interact with the individual daily, not only on pharmacological aspects but also on psychosocial aspects. So, the treatment is very personalised, not one-size-fits-all all models. Our philosophy revolves around the caregiver as well.
We believe the caregiver’s responsibility for continued treatment and continued results is very important.
Q6. NABH accreditation signifies a commitment to quality and safety in healthcare. How does Sukoon Health ensure that its services meet and exceed these standards, particularly in the context of mental health care?
We offer comprehensive treatment for the full spectrum of mental health-related conditions. It combines cutting-edge technology with unparalleled patient care to provide the best clinical care in the country.
Our mission is to provide world-class psychiatric care, and mental health treatments with compassion, personalisation, and sincerity.
We currently have four facilities spread across Delhi NCR and Bangalore which include an Acute Psychiatric Care Facility, a De-Addiction & Rehabilitation Centre, an Early Intervention Facility and an OPD Facility. Our infrastructure is carefully designed and built as per American Psychiatric Association (APA) standards.
Q7. As a co-founder, what inspired you to establish Sukoon Health, and what do you envision for its future in terms of expanding access to mental health care across India?
As most Mental Health people will tell you – curiosity in the field starts with a personal experience, ours did too. At Sukoon Health our vision is to provide world-class psychiatric care, and mental health interventions with compassion, personalisation, and sincerity grounded in modern science.
We run a chain of mental health hospitals in Delhi and Gurugram and have plans for 40 such centres that provide acute psychiatric care, including in Mumbai and Mohali. The facilities will provide support to those seeking acute mental health treatment, with a multidisciplinary team.
The article is attributed to Vidit Bahri, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer.
link