Mangalore : The Department of Psychiatry, KMC Mangalore in association with Wenlock District Hospital and Manaswini, Mangalore organized a Mental Health Awareness programmes as a part of World Mental Health Day at RAPCC Conference Hall on October 10, Monday.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Justice H R Deshpande, principal District and sessions Judge, Dakshina Kannada district said that the UNO started observing the World Mental Health Day in the year 1992.

He also said that it is important for the people to protect their mental health, since at present every one are leading a mechanical life at every schedule and facing the mental distress.

The organization is organizing the programmes from many years and in future it must reach every village too, he added.

He also informed that today the society finds large number of divorce cases in court and in this situation, the help of psychiatrist is required to maintain their mental fitness.

Dr K S Madhav Rao, senior consultant Psychiatrist, Mangalore in his key note address said that there are 100 to 150 psychiatrist pr million people in the foreign countries, but there is only 2 to 3 psychiatrists per million people in India.

He also said that today the suicide rate has increased to 3,000 per day in the world and people kill themselves in 15 to 20 ways in the mental illness. He said that the awareness programmes must be held in schools since lot of children commit suicide in these days.

Dr Ravish Thunga welcomed the guests and gathering. Dr Arun Rao, Dr Saroja, Dr Venkat Rao and others were present.