Daijiworld Media Network - Bicholim

Bicholim, Oct 9: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday drew attention to the growing mental health challenges in Goa, stating that “ten in 100 people in the state need help for mental illness.” He made the remarks during a mental health awareness programme held in Sanquelim, jointly organised by the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission and the Padmini Foundation.

Noting the rising number of patients under treatment at the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), the CM expressed concern over societal neglect of mentally ill family members. “Families neglect one of their own if a member has some mental illness. I’m not telling lies here, but some leave their mentally unstable family members outside the IPHB and don’t even visit them,” Sawant said.

He added that even after recovery, some families refuse to bring patients home. “They don’t want to take them home even after they are cured,” he lamented.

The Chief Minister also spoke about government-run care homes, known as Provedoria, which look after destitutes and the elderly. “In the ten to twelve Provedoria, there are at least 350-400 people being looked after by the government. It’s not that these people don’t have families. They have sons and daughters, but nobody wants them. They don’t even visit them once,” he said.

Sawant emphasized the importance of mental health, stating it is as vital, if not more, than physical health. “Taking care of mental health is more vital than earning money. Things can take a turn for the worse if people neglect their mental wellbeing,” he said, adding that the quality of life matters more than the number of years lived.

The programme aimed to raise awareness about mental health, encourage family support, and promote wellbeing across communities in the state.