Erratic lifestyle making youth prone to mental disorders: Docs

Erratic lifestyle, unconventional job timing and limited communication with parents are making a large chunk among the around 50 crore Indian youth prone to potential mental disorders, leading psychiatrists warn.

As the World Mental Health Day is observed across the globe today, Dr Jitendra Nagpal, a senior consultant psychiatrist at VIMHANS here, says the country is not well-equipped to deal with the large number of people suffering from mental disorders.

"Around seven to 10 crore Indians are suffering from some kind of serious or minor mental disorders, yet there are only five to six thousand qualified psychiatrists in the country," Nagpal told PTI.

He said, "mental illness is also the major reason of the rising suicide rate in the country". According to National Crime Records Bureau, from 2003 to 2007, the suicide rate has increased at a rate of above 10 per cent every year.

"Despite the majority of the around 50 crore of Indian youth (below the age of 25) being prone to potential mental disorders due to their erratic lifestyle, unconventional job timing and very limited communication with their parents, no attention is being given to mental healthcare," Nagpal said.

Dr S Sudarshan of Rockland hospital said, "Ridiculing a mentally ill person in the media should be stopped. We should help in removing the social stigma and spreading awareness about positive mental health".