Discrimination: a common factor for mental health in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); With the rise in suicide moratility rate in Sri Lanka, the WHO says that discrimination is one of the most common factors which affects mental health.

Speaking at the Presidential Induction of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2022, which was held in Colombo on Monday (12), WHO Representative to Sri Lanka Dr. Alaka Singh emphasized that more needs to be done in Sri Lanka with regard to mental health.

Pointing out that the suicide mortality rate in Sri Lanka is 14 per 100,000 population, Dr. Singh said that it remains as the highest in the WHO South East Asia Region for 2019. 

While stating that workplace discrimination is the the most common source of discrimination against those with mental health issues, Dr. Singh reiterated the WHO's support to Sri Lanka in achieving the highest standards of mental and physical wellbeing for it's population.

The President of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, Dr. Kapila Ranasinghe, speaking at the event said that mental health had been taking a back seat in Sri Lanka healthcare system for a long period of time, and is rarely a topic which is prioritized or talked about. 

Dr. Ranasinghe, commenting on the state of mental health welfare in the country, said that there is no separate budget allocated for mental health in Sri Lanka, and the existing mental health act does not adequately reflects present needs and circumstances regarding the mental health in Sri Lanka. However, he said that there have been many unseen issue and technical difficulties bringing forward a new mental health act.

He emphasized that Sri Lanka is lagging way behind in terms of mental health literacy, and the necessity of incorporating mental wellbeing into the educational system, in addition to discussing the subject in an adequate manner at school. 

"It is needless to mention we are navigating through difficult times. Financial restraints are already affecting services provisions to the patients who are seeking mental health support and care throughout the country. Therefore it is important to us as mental health professionals to handle this issues proactively, creating duly awareness and bringing mental health to the forefront," Dr. Ranasinghe said. 

At the same time, the Wold Health Organization has denoted a set of warning signs to pay attention to, which includes;

? Saying goodbye to close family and friends
? Saying things like: "No-one will miss me when I'm gone."
? Giving away valued possessions

People faced with an emotional crisis mostly require informal and confidential emotional support. A person who has the time to listen, does not advice or criticize, but helps the person to come to terms with the situation and feel confident to cope with it.

Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine in Colombo, Prof. Senaka Rajapakse stressed that every doctor has a personal responsibility to be up to date and to see that his practice is of a certain standard, and pointed out to the inductees that eduction continues long after qualification, and the continued professional development is a formalization of the neverending necessity of education.