New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS): Mental health is an essential component of holistic health and awareness on it will go a long way to address the stigma surrounding it, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Friday.

Launching the Green Ribbon Initiative in the national capital, the Minister distributed green ribbons among the officials, urging them to spread the awareness on mental health across the country.

"This green ribbon is a symbol of mental health. We need to spread more and more awareness about mental health in our society," he said.

Emphasising that all types of health and wellbeing are essential for progress, he said that 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 stated.

"Out of ten, three students suffer from mental health issues. 14 per cent of our children are suffering from mental health issues," said Mandaviya, underlining the need to sensitize parents, teachers and other stakeholders to spot and 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," said Union Health Minister.

The event was organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in partnership with Hansraj College, Delhi to raise awareness on mental health as part of the activities being taken up during ongoing Mental Health Awareness Week, October 5-10.