(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The department of Psychiatry at Rashid Hospital recently rolled out its campaign that will take place until the end of the year to raise awareness about mental health issues in society and educate the community on prevention as well as treatment methods.
Dr Mohammed Fayek head of department of psychiatry at Rashid Hospital said the aim of the campaign is to educate the community on mental health issues risk factors prevention methods as well as treatment options. Dr Fayek said there is a need to have regular awareness campaigns about psychiatric diseases because the support of family and society is crucial in dealing with such cases.
He added that the campaign has been organised to mark World Mental Health Day on October 10. So far the department has conducted lectures across some schools governmental and non-governmental organisations and will continue to do so until the end of the year. The campaign includes lectures question and answer sessions and distribution of educational material on mental health issues.
Dr Fayek said: “Depression is a common mental disorder which is becoming a burden on health systems globally due to yearly increase in prevalence. According to the World Health Organisation globally more than 350 million people of all ages suffer from depression. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the global burden of disease.”
The stress associated with modern lifestyle has been linked to the rise in depression levels globally.
Although there are effective treatments for depression according to WHO fewer than half of those affected in the world (in some countries fewer than 10 per cent) receive such treatments.
Dr Fayek highlighted that the advances of modern life often lead to depression and people lead stressful lives and prolonged stress is known to trigger depression.
“Psychiatrists know that stress can trigger mental disorders and problems arise when stress response doesn’t switch off. The term is known as ‘learned helplessness’ which is what many people suffer from today. It basically means that they carry a lot of burden with them lot of pressures of daily life but are used to that and do not switch off.
Dr Samia Abul senior specialist registrar at Rashid Hospital’s psychiatry department said the top three reasons for depression cases in general are related to work marriage and children. She highlighted the advanced services provided by the department of psychiatry in the hospital.
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