Towards a Mental Health Epidemic: Addressing the Crisis

After the emergence of COVID mental health is one of the aspects where limelight spotted. When people lost their jobs, education was affected, people lost lives and everyone was scared of a virus roaming in the air. This was indeed a traumatic phase in the lives of people leading to a cumulative mental health crisis in the world.

The data of NCBI states that the “Median Age of COVID-related suicide victims was 45 years (range 15 – 80) wherein 61.3% belonged to 30-59 year age group, and 75.3% were males. 50% of suicides occurred within the first week of COVID-19 diagnosis confirmation, and 50% of suicides occurred at COVID-19 centres. Hanging (53.8%) was the commonest method of suicide, followed by jumping (12.9%)” in a research study. 

Thus this shows that such an attack on global mental well-being has pushed societies towards another pandemic of mental health crisis. 

Mental health problems that we can face 

Depression:

Depression is a mood disorder defined by sadness, mood lability (a low mood on one end among other issues), problems with sleeping and appetite, and without energy or good sleep, this can be extra hard for some people. The good news is that depression has high survival potential if treated effectively as with most other mental disorders.  

Anxiety

 Anxiety disorders as a category of disease are commonly characterized by both chronic worry and numerous physical manifestations of fear that can cause significant problems. There are many forms of anxiety disorder, each with its symptoms, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Phobia, Panic Disorder Agoraphobia OCD PTSD ( or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). We can frequently observe frequent anxiety disorders in individuals experiencing a kind of despair Situational anxiety disorder, might occur at any age. 

OCD

 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause feelings of discomfort and distress as a result, an individual may feel compelled to perform overt or mental rituals to alleviate or reduce these feelings. These behaviours often consume several hours of every day and can severely impair one’s ability to maintain a job concentrate in school interact with friends or family etc. Effective treatments include cognitive and behavioural therapy (CBT) and medication. See AED regulations, to understand that OCD is about anxiety and compulsive behaviour. 

PTSD

 Trauma or Stress-Related Disorders It is possible to develop PTSD when exposed to a catastrophic event, which generates a continual sense of dread especially with triggering sounds or with social interaction. This sense of fear can take the form of flashbacks nightmares or even a change in one’s perception as a consequence of exposure to the traumatic event – one of the most pronounced symptoms associated with PTSD itself itself. PTSD is often implicated in hiding in a shell to avoid getting triggered by their possible superstitions) and the more such events a person experiences theoretically larger the effect too.  

Lack of mental health professionals 

India has only about 0.7 mental health professionals for every one lakh persons. The standard guidelines suggest that there should be at least three psychiatrists per one lakh population. Such a deficit in the population psychologist ratio is alarming as no one will be there in the case we suffer mental health disorders when they reach their apex. The status of mental health professionals is infirm.

People have a lot of prejudice regarding mental health problems, and it is not in a normalized state. Thus, the preference for treatment for mental health problems seems to be elusive. We are living in a society where mental health professionals are themselves convincing people why their treatment is necessary. Thus it is high time that we move towards spreading awareness regarding the significance of good mental health.

Tips to have a good care of mental health 

1. Seek help when needed:- Seeking for help is an act of courage. It doesn’t mean that you are weak but it means that you have a desire to cure yourselves. Thus whenever needed you must move to a mental health professional to get therapy whenever required. 
2. Eat a balanced diet:- You must pursue a nutritious and balanced diet to maintain a balanced and healthy body. Our body is an essential component of good mental health.  
3. Get enough sleep:- We must maintain a fixed sleep cycle for us. This will direct our body to the timings of relaxation that help the mind to release the stress and relax. 
4. Stay Connected: Maintain relationships with friends and family. Social connections are essential for emotional support. 
5. Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps reduce stress and anxiety. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.

Thus in a nutshell we shall conclude that having a good mental health is something a necessity of time. We should learn to prioritize our mental health and normalize its treatement to get a happy society.

The post The Looming Mental Health Crisis: An Epidemic on the Horizon  appeared first on DU Times.

Flute as an instrument has a wide-ra impact on the player and the environment where it is being operated. Especially after the emergence of the COVID epidemic, where people are suffering from mental health disorders and respiratory problems, research shows that there has positive progress in health conditions. The flute is considered one of the most diverse instruments in music where just bamboo and cork can produce a diverse range of melodies. Considering the essence of this instrument, this blog shall cover the fundamental aspects of the flute. 

Flute as a dynamic instrument 

Flute refers to a woodwind instrument that produces sound from the flow of air across its openings. It is generally composed of bamboo or PVC pipes. India calls its version of the flute Basuri which has its historical significance. The earliest dates back over 35000 years ago when it was made up of bird bones and mammoth ivory.

Later bamboo became the fine and most popular raw material to make flutes. In addition, the first known flute was a three-holed instrument fashioned from a mammoth tusk that existed some 35,000 years ago. Excavated from a tomb in Jiahu, in the Central Chinese province of Henan, are bone flutes with five to eight holes each, crafted from the bones of red-crowned crane wings. They were approximately nine thousand years old. Chinese women were proficient flute musicians during the Song Dynasty (12th century). When it comes to flute history, they are the most ancient musical instruments. 

Types of flutes 

1. Concert flute:– It is a kind of flutes used in western concerts and orchestras. It is typically made of silver, nickel, or gold and has a range of about three octaves. 
2. Alto flute:– It is comparatively larger than concert flute and produces more deeper and mellow sound.  
3. Piccolo:- It is a smaller version of concert flute and produce a high pitched sound. 
4. Bass flute:- This flute is even larger than the alto  and produces a deep, rich sound. It is often used in flute choirs and contemporary music compositions. 
5. Ethnic flutes:- Every culture do modify this instrument in their own way. such as the bamboo flutes of Asia, the pan flutes of South America, and the Native American flutes, each offering distinctive sounds and playing techniques. 

Health benefits of playing flutes 

1. Promotes good posture:- Playing this instrument in a correct melody do require a straight posture to produce the sound. Thus it tend to improve the body posture of individual that enhances the further productivity 
2. Breathing efficacy:- Playing flutes tend to improve the lung capacity of an individual as it requires frequent breathing. Thus a part of ‘Pranayam’ is also there in this practice making it an efficient tool in having good respiratory health. However, we must care about the environment where we play this instrument . It must be pollution free. 
3. Promote finger dexterity:- When we need to use the dynamic finger patterns to play the flute, it enhances our finger dexterity. Also the visual and motor ability increases with further practice. 
4. Mental health:- Frequent breathing fulfils the regions of brain with oxygen which is considered as an immune for mental health conditions. The music produces through it is also a soothing one. 
5.  Improves the patience:- Learning flute is a long lasting activity which sometimes requires years. Thus it teaches us the to enhance our patience that will act as a tool to learn something new. 
6. Expands Cultural Awareness: The flute is used in various musical traditions around the world. Learning this instrument can introduce students to different cultures and musical styles, fostering a broader appreciation for global music. 

Tips to master flute for beginners: 

1. Start slow:- Beginners must not instantly jump to play the songs. Once must start with the fundamentals and should pursue a slow process. 
2. Use a metronome:– A metronome is an instrument which helps us to get idea about beats and timings of the notes. Thus it will provide the basic foundation to play the it.
3. Start with Alankars:- Playing saptak and alnkars must be the starting line for beginners. First they must master the hand dexterity and correct blowing , then they can move towards ear training. 
4. Maintain perseverance:- One must practice daily and consistently to master it. Discontinuity in the practice can alter the learning process. 

Thus in a nutshell we shall conclude that flute is one of the important instrument with diverse benefits. It will not only enhance the skill but will have the holistic development of the individual. 

References

Pexels, https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2309476.pdf

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Procrastination refers to a phenomenon where we tend to pass over our tasks for a later period. It is one of the apparent barriers for students when they move towards the path of success. Students realise that there are a series of steps that they need to take to accomplish their goals. However, they ended up doing things that were not necessary during that period and found a great deal of time loss. This is especially in the case of academics when we decide to complete a particular target for a say but ultimately find ourselves scrolling thousands of reels on Instagram or other social media platforms 

This is a matter of urgent concern as some data such as a US survey of over 22,000 employees shows that participants who said they regularly procrastinated had lower annual incomes and less job stability. For every one-point increase on a measure of chronic procrastination, salary decreased by US$15,000 (£12,450). 

Thus along with the personal loss, it leads to loss at a macroeconomic level as well. Thus it becomes necessary to apply certain strategies to avoid procrastination in our daily lives. 

Tips to avoid procrastination 

Keep the goals clear:-

We must be clear with the ‘ why’ of our goal. If we are clear about the reason for our desire for a particular goal, then we tend to avoid procrastination. We can resonate with our actions and can work in a flow. Thus we must write the goals somewhere and a planned series of steps required to bring crystal clarity in our mind. 

Break tasks into smaller parts:-

The difficulty is our goal, and more is the time required. Thus we must break the broader tasks into smaller parts and multiple sub-goals towards one direction. Thus this can help to take breaks in between. It will also help us to get a calculated clarity to spend time in a particular direction. 

Fix the screen time:-

We must fix a particular period to spend on the screen. The screen is one of the biggest distractors for us. In particular short videos such as reels or YouTube shorts have not only reduced our attention period but also pushed us towards dopamine addiction through it. One research states that on average a teen spends 4.8 hours every day on social media. Thus it is high time that we learn to fix time here to prevent procrastination. 

Use positive reinforcement: –

We end up doing unnecessary things because those provide us with an immediate push. If we provide some rewards to ourselves for completing a particular task, over time we can find ourselves doing things more effectively. Once we start to enjoy the tasks, this necessity for providing rewards will automatically vanish. 

Set deadlines:-

Once we have decided that we have to complete a particular task in a fixed period, it will create pressure on us for its completion. The pressure created will help us to avoid the distraction and take action. In the end, it will be proved as an essential tool to avoid procrastination 

Seek accountability:-

In case of failure to accomplish particular tasks, we must learn to answer somewhere. It depends on person to person whether one chooses a person for it or uses journaling as a tool. Once we are accountable, it will also force us to take action for accomplishments on time and avoid unnecessary distractions. 

Practice self-discipline:-

We tend to force discipline on us it will create unnecessary pressure on us. Forced discipline is barely proven as a viable option. However, if we start to practice self-discipline, then we will be accountable to ourselves. Self-accountability is the skill that makes us avoid distractors and engage ourselves towards our goal.  

Address underlying issues:-  

Introspection plays a vital role in avoiding procrastination. We must find the accurate causes behind our distraction and should work on it. Everyone pursues a different lifestyle and thus everybody has different kinds of reasons for procrastination. Thus if we are procrastination, we must find the causes of this behavior 

Stop rationalization:-

Sometimes we end up procrastination with arguments that act as an excuse for not completing our tasks. Thus if we fail in any sphere, we must admit it honestly. Unnecessary rationalization will act as a barrier towards our path to success. 

Thus, in a nutshell, we shall conclude that we must have a systematic strategy to help ourselves to direct towards our goals. Only we can have the solutions to our problem, the requirement is just the implementation

References

Pexels

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/silenthustler/procrastination-53001/

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Screens have become a Ubiquitous and inalienable part of our life. The present generation has adopted the screen from mobile phones to laptops. Thus, it has certain ramifications that impact the health of individuals. The average display time in India is 7.3 hours per person denoting that we have reached the zenith of the use of screen.

As a result in urban children 8.5% (95% CI, 7.1–9.9%) and in rural settings 6.1% (95% CI, 4.5–7.7%) have been suffering from myopia for the past four decades. The mental health condition of students and youth has deteriorated and the dopamine addiction due to screen is a matter of major concern. The aspects where the screen has intervened are inclusive of:- 

Impact on cognitive development 

Increased screen time has impacted children’s cognitive development significantly in young children and youth. The regions of the brain that require significant exposure, physical play and hands-on experience get affected when their world gets bound inside small screens. Thus, their decision-making capabilities, problem-solving and linguistic development are impacted phenomenally. 

Impact on mental health 

Emotional well-being and personality development are being affected by display time. Personality development requires time for proper exposure and communication. When the majority of the period gets soaked by the screen, these important aspects rest behind the curtains. Emotional well-being can only be learned through required practical exposure. Besides these problems, Online bullying, anxiety because of implied presence on social media and even depression can be the consequences of mishandled use of screens. 

Impact on physical health  

Extended display time can lead to a sedentary lifestyle which can lead to catastrophic consequences for health. It can lead to sleep deprivation, disturbances and fatigue. It can promote laziness among children and can increase their addictive behaviour. Thus it is high time that we need reforms in the way our lifestyles deal with such impacts of screens especially for our children. 

Eye strain and myopia 

Excessive screen time can cause dry eyes syndrome, eye strain and finally Myopic eyes in children. Except for the cases of Lasik surgery, this disruption cannot be reversed through any method. Thus having spectacles has become very common in society, however, consequences have far negative impact. 

Decreases the intimacy of relations 

Relationships nowadays need to be nursed carefully for their positive growth. It requires that we provide the required time to relations which is being spent on reels or shorts. The addiction to screens is something that requires urgent attention as children’s holistic development also requires healthy relations. A child will for the relations by learning on the field rather than on screen. 

Cyberbullying 

Cyberbullying is a crime where children get bullied through the internet. When children tend to spend significant time on screen they expand their e-networks. Not all people on this network are reliable leading to apprehensions of cyberbullying. It can distract the child from his mainstream life and provide her with some traumatic causalities. Although just the screen is alone not responsible for it, however, its role here can not be neglected 

Reduces creativity 

Dependency on the screen and online world for the completion of all creative tasks will not stimulate the parts of the brain dealing with creativity. Thus it will significantly hampers the creative development of children. 

Ways to tackle the raised problem

Set the screen time limits:-

Setting the optimal time limits for the screen can help to reduce the risks associated with it. Thus we must categorize our tasks as screened or non-screened tasks. Thereby assigning the time in which we need to complete the screened tasks. 

Promote quality sleep:-

we must keep all electronic devices away from the bedroom before hours of sleep. This will help us to improve sleep quality and handle the loss due to screens in the bedroom. 

Monitor content:-

The content to which children are exposed must be monitored. We must keep away the explicit content from children to prevent them from the harmful impact of screens.

Encourage communications:-

We need to attract the attention of children from the screen to relations and communication. Special time needed to be provided to children for their holistic growth. This time will help them to nurture themselves and find a beautiful world outside the screen. 

Create screen-free zones:-

We must decide some regions as screen-free including kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms. This will break the chains of continuity with screens thus preventing addiction 

Thus in a nutshell we shall conclude that we must follow the viable pathway where we are considering screen as just the part of process. There are a lot of ramifications of excessive screen time. If we want to protect our children from its negative consequences, we must have a systematic schedule dealing with screen time. 

References

Pexels images, Negative impact of screen ( https://prashanthhospitals.org/blog/the-impact-of-screen-time-on-childrens-development-and-mental-health#:~:text=Physical%20Health%3A&text=Spending%20too%20much%20time%20in,screen%20time%20on%20physical%20health.   

The post Assessing the Health Risks of Screen Time for Kids  appeared first on DU Times.

The generations are moving from Genz to Gen Alpha. We have moved from Earth to the moon. Society is establishing the profound foundations of scientific growth. The exposure to the digital world that everyone gets has expanded its boundaries over the years. We have now robots in schools and AI in our laptops that have significantly impacted our lives. However, amidst these rapid changes, primary education has remained relatively static. Concepts such as emotional intelligence remain very vague here.  

This impact must be observed in primary education too. It is high time that we move forward towards more holistic education that is also inclusive of Sex education, Life skills and emotional training to students which are some fundamental aspects that students must learn there. The basic aim of primary education should be the training of students for their own lives. The facts that they learn at that age generally remain vague and are obsolete when they grow up, but their experiences and training are their life-long companions.  

Emotional intelligence: – A trait as well as an ability 

Emotional intelligence in prima facia words can be defined as a way to effectively identify and manage our emotions and those of others. Regulating emotions as per the situation makes any person much more mature and logical enough to take action. One learns the responsive mechanisms here rather than the reactive mechanisms. This helps them to make healthier relationships and stay optimistic and mentally fit. 

On the one hand, this is a trait that can be inherited or conditioned by individuals. However, it is also an ability that can be improved with training. If students are provided hands-on training on emotional intelligence at the primary stage, it will help the students to find a healthy future. 

The reason that they find their textbooks boring is that they have the same material that was too relevant years ago. Thus, skills such as emotional intelligence must be the fundamental training provided from the very early age of their life.  

Sex education: Breaking the taboos from the society 

Sex and sexuality are the subjects that always rest behind the curtains in primary education. Students even in their teenage years remain confused about the concepts of menstruation and sexual terms. One of the greatest problems do arises here is the pathway that they tend to take to satisfy their sexual curiosity. 

Sexual desires are the natural phenomena of the human body which are essential for the reproduction and survival of species. Thus, such desires inevitably become active with age and students become curious about it. We must make them aware of the sexual processes and normal functioning of the body to prevent them from the Unreliable pathways. The reason we have the porn industry increasing significantly as they use addiction as a tool for our children which makes them addicted to it. Thus if we want to get rid of some catastrophic consequences, we must make them aware of sex education. It must be incorporated in Indian primary education as well to demystify the natural processes. 

 Life skills 

The skills that deal with interpersonal communication, personality development, confidence building, professional linguistic training and teamwork must be there in the curriculum of students at primary schools. The name itself suggests that training is here for a healthy and sustainable life.  

Interpersonal skills are vital for resolving conflicts and promoting a cooperative classroom atmosphere, laying the foundation for successful social interactions throughout life. Personality Development focuses on helping students understand themselves and build a positive self-image. It encourages personal growth by highlighting individual strengths and areas for improvement. Confidence Building is about empowering students to take risks, voice their opinions, and participate actively in their education. Professional Linguistic Training equips students with the communication skills needed for future academic and career success. Teamwork teaches students the value of cooperation and collective effort. Working in groups helps children develop empathy, learn to share responsibilities, and achieve common goals. 

Thus, it is high time that the obsolete subjects of primary education must be made progressive. We must move forward towards a holistic development of the personality of students rather than the production of nerds. We need parents as well as teachers should respect the interests of their children. Co-curricular activities inclusive of singing, dancing or sports must be promoted equally and should be awarded. We need a primary goal which enhance our personality through education and make the future a better time to live. 

References

Pexels

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