"Nearly 10-15% of the 140 crore people in India, including children face mental health related issues and only 10-20% of them seek medical guidance due to lack of awareness and hesitation," said President of Tamilnadu Psychiatric Society Dr.C.Paneer Selvan on Sunday.

He shared this while interacting with the press and media earlier today at the Run for Mind Marathon, jointly organised by Kongunadu Mananala Arakkatalai and IPS - Tamilnadu Chapter from VOC Grounds. 

Former DGP of Tamil Nadu, Ravi took part as the chief guest and flagged off the marathon. 1200+ participants ran the marathon to create awareness about mental health.

Speaking to the press and media, Dr.C.Paneer Selvan said that Indians under 20 years of age get mental stress and other issues due to various factores. Even 7% of children in India get mental health issues today. 

There is a lack of awareness among them that mental health issues may lead to some unexpected outcomes. Earlier road accidents were the reason for the death of people under 20 years of age whereas now, mental issues are on track to become the leading cause in this age group. 

Citing a research, Dr.Paneer Selvan said that during the pre-covid period, the suicide rate in India was low; 9.7 people out of 1 lakh Indians committed the act. However a revelation through the National Suicide Prevention Strategy conveys that the figure has increased from 9.7 to 12 now. This is bigger than the global rate of 9 out of 1 lakh.

Mental health is as important as physical health, and in order to stress that the marathon was held.

A press release said that the 39th annual conference of Indian psychiatric society, Tamil Nadu chapter is scheduled to be held on 27th and 28th July 2024 in Jennys Residency, Coimbatore by Kongunadu Psychiatric Society.

Around 800 psychiatrists and Postgraduate students from Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and various parts of the country are going to participate in this event.