Mental fitness specialists for govt hospitals in 3 months

The state government will assign specialists to treat patients with mental illnesses at all government hospitals in three months’ time. The government made a submission to this effect on Monday, while a case relating to the shortage of specialists in this discipline was being heard in the Karnatakahigh court. A petition contending that there were no specialists to treat the mentally ill at government hospitals came up for audible range before the division bench of the high court, headed by Justice N Kumar.

The government counsel said the state would take three months to finish the procedure of recruitment of specialists in government hospitals. The government advice added that a new director would be appointed at the Dharwad Institute of Mental Disorder Sciences in a fortnight. On January 20, the high court had sought a report from the state government regarding distribution of medicines to those suffering from mental illness, undergoing treatment at government hospitals. The partition bench has adjourned the case to February 23.

Families Dealing with Mental Illnesses look for Help

In the wake of the Tuscan shootings, mental illnesses and the laws surrounding it have taken a national focus. The illness effects millions of families including ones here in the Ark-La-Tex.
Texarkana resident Nina Fairchild says her mother Brenda Moore is bi-polar and schizophernic. Moore took a turn for the not as good as last April.

Fairchild says her mother hears voices and continually writes bizarre letters. Part of the mental disorder, especially in schizophernia, involves a lack of insight. According to law, adults can't be forced to take medication unless they are direct threat to themselves or someone else. The National Alliance on Mental Health provides maintain for patients and their families.

More than 60 Percent Of Afghans Suffer Stress and Mental Disorders

Scarred by decades of war, social problems and poverty, more than 60 percent of Afghans suffer from pressure disorders and mental health problems, officials warned Sunday. "This is a major problem," Suraya Dalil, Afghanistan's stand-in public health minister, told a ceremony in Kabul on World Mental Health Day.

"More than 60 percent of Afghans are suffering from stress disorders and mental problems."

The population of Afghanistan is estimated at roughly 28 million. "Extreme poverty, insecurity, violence and gender disparities are the major factors contributing to worsening mental health in Afghanistan." The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that more than 60 percent of Afghans, mostly women, suffered from psychosocial problems or mental disordersPublic health ministry spokesman Ghulam Sakhi Kargar Noryghli said the 60 percent estimate dated from a study passed out with the WHO in 2004.

"Since war has continued, poverty or economic problems have increased in some parts of the country. We believe that the number of those suffering from mental illnesses has increased and now it is more than 60 percent,"