A total of 2,003 cases of mental health disorders were recorded by the Ministry of Health in 2009. The number rose to 2,570 last year. In order to raise public awareness on mental health issues, Bhutan joined the other nations to observe the World Mental Health Day yesterday, with a focus on depression.
Depression, a common mental disorder, is mostly characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration.
Observing the day in Samtse, Dr. Kashinath Sharma of Samtse hospital spoke on mental disorders, its causes and control measures. He said mental illness could be acquired during pregnancy and birth, life events, emotional stress and relationships.
Samtse is also seeing an increasing number of people with mental illness.
“There is increasing trends in mental disorder cases. One reason could be because now people are aware that there is treatment for mental disorder. So they are coming to hospital for check up,” said Dr. Kashinath Sharma.
Similarly, the day was observed in Paro too.
