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| Thursday, 18 November 2004 |
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by Nadira Gunatilleke Sri Lanka's aborigines, the Vanniyela Aththo community have shown a remarkable immunity to disease both physical and mental. "There has not been a single detection of a mental disorder among the Veddha community," Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. J. K. T. G. Prematilake M.B.B.S. (Ceylon) M.R.C.Psy. (U.K.) said. Dr. Prematilake could not pinpoint any particular reason for this phenomenon, but, attributed it to the simple and uncomplicated life of the Veddhas leading to a stress-free existence. He was addressing a special workshop held yesterday at Sahanaya, an NGO engaged in promoting mental health in Sri Lanka. It is significant that rural areas have a lesser number of mental related illnesses once again underlining the simple way of life among villagers which free them from the day-to-day pressures associated with the city life. Dr. Prematilake noted that 95 per cent of mental patients do not need hospitalisation since they could be treated at home. "But their guardians bring them to the Mental hospital in order to ensure their safety. A majority of them comeback to hospital suffering a relapse due to skipped medication. Angoda and Mulleriyawa mental hospitals have become veritable hostels of the mentally ill," he added. Dr. Prematilake said: "The mental health of a country's population is measured by its suicide rate, crime rate and drug abuse. In this respect the mental health level of Sri Lankans are at a very low level. There is adequate attention paid towards physical health in Sri Lanka but the attention paid to mental health is woefully insufficient." He noted that there was a significant decline in smoking among the young generation in Sri Lanka. The present law in Sri Lanka relating to mental health is outdated and numerous requests have been made to amend this law which came into operation as far back as 1800. Dr. Vajira Dharmaratne of Colombo National Hospital said that between 20 to 30 percent of Sri Lankans are affected by some form of abnormal neurotic conditions and the mass media often identifies this as a mental disease. This has caused a severe damage by creating unnecessary fear among the public. Every individual has some form of stress and mental worry. Therefore, the mass media should educate the public to help them live with these problems. |
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