World Mental Health Day
SHIMLA: "At the community level, we need to train specialist counselors to tackle mental health issues," said psychologist Dr. Ravi Bhushan, emphasizing the urgent need for mental health support during a program organized by the Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti.
Speaking at the Government Senior Secondary School in Koti on World Mental Health Day, Dr. Bhushan underscored the situation created by drug abuse among the youth, which has been pushing many towards mental illnesses.
Marking the day with a hard-hitting focus, the Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti held events across the state as part of its ongoing campaign from October 2-10 against substance abuse.
The campaign aimed at raising awareness about the devastating effects of drugs, not just on the body but also on the mind.
The theme of World Mental Health Day this year, "Mental health is a universal human right," reflects the need for a strong, inclusive approach toward mental well-being—a message that echoed deeply in the programs conducted across Himachal Pradesh.
Satyawan Pundir, the State Secretary of the committee, highlighted how drug addiction is not only destroying lives physically, economically, and socially but also leaving deep scars on mental health.
"Our youth often fall prey to substance abuse under mental stress, and some develop serious mental illnesses after getting hooked," said Pundir.
He stressed that beyond legal measures, counseling is crucial in tackling the issue.
Parents, he noted, need proper guidance for raising children in today’s high-pressure world, while youth require psychological support to overcome depression and other mental health challenges.
Pundir also called for the urgent recruitment of more psychiatrists in government hospitals and the training of a large number of psychological counselors.
"Without expert counseling, we cannot win this battle against drugs," he added. His statement sheds light on the massive gap in mental health services in the state and the pressing need for action.
The program also focused on educating students about the dangers of drugs, with Pundir urging them to refuse any form of chitta or narcotics.
“The first step to saving our youth is to make them say ‘No’ to drugs,” he emphasized, reminding them that prevention is the only way to curb this growing menace.
This event not only marked World Mental Health Day but also brought attention to how addiction is a major driver of mental health problems in Himachal Pradesh, with youth bearing the brunt.
The message was clear: without serious, community-driven efforts to provide mental health support, the drug epidemic will continue to grow, taking more lives down with it.