The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on October 8, 2021, launched the Green Ribbon Initiative to raise awareness on Mental Health. The event was organised as part of the activities undertaken during ongoing Mental Health Awareness Week from October 5-10, 2021. Sharing his thought about Mental Health, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, said, “Mental Health is an essential component of Holistic Health and awareness on it will go a long way to address the stigma surrounding it."
Green ribbons were distributed among the officials of the Union Health Ministry and media persons present to spread awareness and the minister also urged the attendees to do the same among their peers and in the community. While distributing the same, the minister mentioned, “This green ribbon is a symbol of mental health. We need to spread more and more awareness about mental health in our society."
“Without healthy individuals, there will not be a healthy family and by extension a healthy society and a healthy nation. Ill health, either physical or mental, leads to poor productivity thereby adversely affecting the growth and productivity of nations”, he added while underlining that all types of Health and Wellbeing are essential for progress.
Minister Mandaviya also took to Twitter to share more about the event, and said, "Launched "Green Ribbon Initiative" in collaboration with Hansraj College, as part of #MentalHealthWeek campaign by wearing a Green Ribbon. The initiative aims to create a culture of openness and reduce stigma attached Mental Health issues. As part of the initiative, also distributed Green Ribbons among the Ministry officials and staff. Get your Green Ribbon & join us in raising awareness for mental health #ShiftYourMINDset"
Launched "Green Ribbon Initiative" in collaboration with Hansraj College, as part of #MentalHealthWeek campaign by wearing a Green Ribbon.
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) October 8, 2021
The initiative aims to create a culture of openness and reduce stigma attached Mental Health issues. #ShiftYourMINDset (1/2) pic.twitter.com/2qbmnjUUis
Present at the occasion were Dr. Sunil Kumar, Director General of Health Services, Shri Vikas Sheel, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (National Health Mission), Shri Vishal Chouhan, Joint Secretary (Policy) and other senior Health Ministry officials.
Emphasis was also given to the need of speaking out and sharing data related to the same, he said that three out of ten students in India and approximately 14 per cent of the children in the country are suffering from some mental health issues, and hence the need is to sensitize parents, teachers and other wellwishers to assist young citizens in need of help.
“We need to the conversation on mental health issues first within the family and gradually include the school environment too. We need to train our teachers in such a manner that they will be able to easily detect mental health issues in children," he added while stating the importance to recognise, acknowledge and diagnose a mental health issues.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health also shared a few posts on Mental Health stating, "Mental Health is an important aspect of your overall health. Don't ignore Mental Health issues and seek help immediately."
Mental Health is an important aspect of your overall health. Don't ignore #MentalHealth issues and seek help immediately.#ShiftYourMINDset#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek pic.twitter.com/Ti1HqGxrid
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) October 6, 2021
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