Hindu Editorial Analysis : 10-October-2023

World Mental Health Day, celebrated on October 10th, focuses on the fundamental theme of ‘mental health as a universal human right’. However, amidst this conversation, a significant demographic often overlooked is the informal worker, especially in the context of India.

Understanding India’s Informal Sector

Statistics and Distribution

  • Around 80% of India’s workforce operates within the informal sector, with half engaged in agriculture and the rest in non-agricultural activities.
  • Despite their substantial contribution to the national income, informal workers face economic, physical, and mental vulnerabilities.
Employment and Mental Health Correlation

Positive and Negative Impacts

  • Decent work positively influences mental health, while unstable employment, workplace discrimination, and unsafe working conditions pose risks.
  • Low-paid and insecure jobs, along with isolation, expose workers to psychosocial risks, compromising mental well-being (UNDP).
Challenges Faced by India’s Informal Workforce

Regulatory Gaps and Discrimination

  • Over 90% of India’s working population is part of the informal sector, lacking regulatory protection and facing discrimination.
  • Gender disparities are stark, with 95% of working women engaged in precarious employment without social protection.

Youth Unemployment and Vulnerability

  • High youth unemployment rates impact mental health; young workers often accept insecure jobs due to desperation, exacerbating their vulnerability.

Elderly Workers’ Struggles

  • 33 million elderly individuals are employed post-retirement in informal work, facing poverty and lack of access to health care, severely impacting their mental health.
Government Initiatives: Progress and Challenges

Constitutional and Legal Provisions

  • Article 21 and 47 of the Indian Constitution guarantee the right to mental healthcare and emphasize the state’s responsibility in public health improvement.

National Mental Health Programme and Mental Healthcare Act

  • The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) ensures mental healthcare accessibility, focusing on vulnerable populations.
  • The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 decriminalized suicide attempts, introduced advanced directives, and restricted the use of electro-convulsive therapy, combating societal stigma.

Kiran Helpline and SAATHI Program

  • The Kiran Helpline provides crisis management and psychological support, acting as a vital resource in suicide prevention.
  • SAATHI, a South-Asian Mental Health Outreach Program, aims to raise awareness and improve mental healthcare accessibility.
Why In News

The focus for this year’s World Mental Health Day on October 10 is ‘mental health as a universal human right.’ One often overlooked demographic in mental health discussions is informal workers.

MCQs about Mental Health in India’s Informal Workforce

  1. What is the theme of World Mental Health Day ?
    A. Mental health awareness in schools
    B. Mental health as a universal human right
    C. Workplace stress management
    D. Mental health in the elderly population
  2. Which government initiative introduced “advanced directives” for individuals with mental illnesses?
    A. National Mental Health Programme
    B. Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
    C. Kiran Helpline
    D. SAATHI Program
  3. What is the primary goal of the SAATHI Program ?
    A. Suicide prevention and crisis management
    B. Mental health awareness and improved access to care
    C. Financial support for informal workers
    D. Employment opportunities for the elderly

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