We are undergoing a vast change in our country in all aspects. Our Economy, Science, Technology, Education, Infrastructure are well recognized anywhere in the world. “Globalization” has become the mantra of any Business. The health care and Insurance sector too has come under this umbrella of globalization.
Most Indians are aware of insurance facilities and schemes promoted by Private /Govt sectors. A similar awareness needs to be created in our society regarding Psycho-Education and its benefits to the people. Any word starting with “mental” itself is considered a stigma in our country. “Stigma” is so powerful that it is affecting millions of people.
Many people are still unaware of the fact that for many physical illnesses the cause is related to the mind. Research study reveals a fact that Cancer, Heart-attack, Blood pressure, Migraine, Body ache, etc., are all due to some of our own psychological issues.
We are more focused on our physical ailment once it starts to affect our day to day life. Many of these illnesses can be averted with proper psychological enlightenment. This needs awareness of psycho-education to family members and support from the insurance sector, medical practitioner, Government policies.
The needs of Psycho Education is to be emphasized at all levels. Education, Health-care sector, Insurance sector, Government policies, etc need to play a vital role to get rid off the “Stigma”. This can be achieved only by integrating psycho education in the respective field. Let us see what we can do to bring this change.
Education
In our present generation stress, depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, etc among students have increased. Instead of labeling a student a school can be a very supportive platform by identifying and being supportive in times of need.
Depression may occur due to various reasons. A school needs to understand that it is temporary.
By providing a friendly environment, being flexible in the grading system, and encouraging the student in enhancing other talents can make a big difference. Integrating such students and accepting him/her is like a rebirth for a student. This needs awareness from the bottom layer of any institution.
The non-teaching staff and faculties need to undergo training, seminars to handle such children. It is very common to see staff discussing the child in front of other students/parents. If a student is under medication for any psychological reason it needs to be kept confidential rather than discussing or informing other students. At the same time the students should be sensitized to such situations through stories, drama, role-play, mime, etc.
Occasionally a talk by professionals such as medical practitioners, psychologists, educationalists will be very helpful. Rather than the illness the “stigma” created by the illness is very strong. The educational institution needs to be a role model by integrating such children in the normal stream and an arena to eradicate stigma. This is one of the best ways to promote psycho education to the society.
Adolescents are a major group of populations undergoing disorders such as Anorexia Bulimia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Anxiety disorders, etc. The intensity of “stigma” is also very high among adolescents. Parents and institutions need to accept such disorder and provide orientation programs to bring awareness.
Research shows that when a person is more aware of his illness /disorder, the more he is in control of the illness/disorder. Psycho education to the family members aims to consider them as part of the process rather than a meager supporters. This brings a turning point in the life of the person as he is being accepted by everyone.
A person can overcome the situation at the earliest and move forward in his life. The education policies should be flexible enough to incorporate him in higher studies and should not be a hurdle in his/her Career Ambitions.
Health Sector
When a person visits his General Medical practitioner for a checkup, the Medical practitioner needs to identify what could be the reason for such physical illness. Many people are suffering from a psychosomatic illness which is again due to psychological conflict in the mind.
The General practitioner after identifying can very well refer to psychologists for psycho education. If the patient is given treatment without identifying it as a psychosomatic illness is actually worsening the situation. Rather than experimenting with the patient with medicine placebos and psycho education can help the patient for fast recovery.
Insurance Sector
Recently many insurance companies started to create awareness on Diabetics, Cardiac problems, hypertension, etc. At the same time, a patient undergoing medication for any mental illness such as Bipolar disorder, depression, Schizophrenia is not even aware of whether they are covered under insurance.
A drive on awareness of mental illness and insurance policy coverage for such treatment might help to erase the “stigma”. The insurance sector can become a tool for psycho education.
Community Awareness
We have seen that Disabled people are given facilities in accessing a hospital, parking area, schools, colleges, etc. This acceptance came after a long time drive taken by people from various fields of our society. Similarly, their needs a community awareness drive to accept people with mental illness as normal people.
A neighbor undergoing any mental illness is treated as abnormal. It is seen that when a person is being taken to a hospital neighbors close their doors and isolate the family. This causes a deep wound in the mind of the family as well as the patient. Social isolation and separation from society can cause severe trauma in the life of a person. Psycho education through community schools, hospitals, and media can be an eye-opener for such people.
Any human being will crave for social acceptance and networking. When a family is undergoing a tough time psycho education plays a vital role in imparting coping skills. The goal of psycho education is to promote the re-entry of such patients into the community. The patient once returns home after treatment need not be considered as a mental illness patient.
He/she should be encouraged to take part in all spheres of life. Social gatherings, community work, and social acceptance will boost the self-esteem of such people. This helps the individual to come out of “Stigma” as well as to take control of his life.
Recently old age home and community rehabilitation center for elders has increased. Some of the illness during old age is Dementia, Alzheimer’s need psycho education to the family members. The family may be undergoing lot of stress. Psycho education can provide required coping skills and support to the entire family.
NGOs
NGO can play a vital role in communicating to people regarding the importance of psycho education. A Foundation named L.E.T.S-Lets Erase the Stigma is reaching people across the world. Millions of people are educated and drive is being initiated to Erase the stigma of mental illness. Such effective steps from many more NGO’s are need of the time.
Educational Institution, Psychologist, Medical practitioners, Community Workers, NGO’s, Health sector, Insurance sector all need to work under one umbrella to eradicate the stigma and provide psycho education to our society.