In Sri Lanka, mental illnesses are hidden, and for every five people who have them, only one receives treatment.

In Sri Lanka and the South Asian region, mental health is a situation that requires serious attention. It has now been revealed that only one in five individuals suffering from mental health conditions seeks medical treatment.

It also appears that the majority of people suffering from such conditions tend to avoid professional medical assistance rather than seek it.

These facts were revealed by Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Vindya Wijayabandara. The doctor pointed this out while participating in a special press conference held yesterday (08) at the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, coinciding with the upcoming World Mental Health Day.

The strongest reason for patients avoiding treatment in this manner is the attitudes deeply rooted in society. According to research data, misconceptions about mental illness and the associated stigma prevalent in society have primarily contributed to this avoidance of treatment. For this reason, the consultant psychiatrist further emphasized that people should be encouraged to seek proper medical assistance by raising awareness in society, reducing stigma, and ensuring access to appropriate treatment.

Against this backdrop, a 24-hour national helpline has also been established to assist those suffering from mental distress. The '1926' National Mental Health Helpline, launched in 2018 coinciding with World Mental Health Day, is currently playing a significant role. She also mentioned that this service, which provides mental health advice to the public, has facilitated over two hundred thousand phone conversations since its inception.

The importance of listening to the real experiences of mental health patients and giving due attention to their voices was also strongly emphasized here, in order to improve mental health services and public understanding of them. Making it more meaningful, the theme for this year's World Mental Health Day, which falls on October 10th, is also "Listening to Real Experiences: Real Voices, Real Change."