According to WHO, Mental health is a state of well-being in which a person recognizes his or her abilities, can manage the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and can contribute to his or her community. Many factors blend jointly to influence the health of individuals and communities. Whether people are physically sound or not, is determined by their circumstances and environment.

On this basis, WHO has developed Determinants of Health, consisting of;

• the social and economic environment,
• the physical environment, and
• the person’s characteristics and behaviours.

Thus, just because a person is physically healthy doesn’t conclude that the person is mentally healthy.

In our present society, “how we’re failing to address mental health needs and the consequences of that failure is much devastating and dreadful”. The gap in mental health care coverage for common situations is curable with an early approach but still, the services often provided are of poor quality or else it is not feasibly provided without human rights violation. Thus, the effective way to solve these problems was raised out through the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) set of arguments. Now, let us discuss those important arguments and the facts put forward by UHC.

ARGUMENT 1: There is no health without mental health

Nowadays, some of them are aware of mental health, but it is not much translated into action and investment. Even though there is a wide range of intervention methods, the quality, and the approach applied, the gap is even unfilled. And also, seeking treatment is and always remains a choice, and too because of the barriers known as “availability & affordability”.

Vulnerable populations are particularly prone to mental health conditions. And this vulnerability is based on, as mentioned above, the determinants of health.

According to UHC, the close connection between mental health and people’s socioeconomic background means the gap in mental health care providers may be a hindrance to reaching the global development endeavours enclosed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

There is weighty proof to suggest that when mental health services are combined with physical health services, the treatment approach contributes to better and overall positive health outcomes. Integrating mental health care into UHC can also withstand the prevention and treatment of Non-communicable diseases (NCD), providing better health systems.

While the summation of mental health with UHC is important for the whole healthcare system, it is extremely crucial at primary and community health levels which will be the corner stone of UHC.

ARGUMENT 2: Mental health spending is an investment, not a cost

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated that, Mental Health support should not be a Luxury. It is a human right for everyone and everywhere. Frankly speaking, spending on health should be seen exactly as an investment, a possibility to increase national well-being and prosperity; and not as a cost. And this is incomplete if we not include mental health in this, also integrating mental health in UHC will be a fundamental to sustainable development as well as a component of the Human Capital Index.

Mental health interventions can be delivered in a highly cost-effective way, another firm assertion for integrating mental health in UHC at scale.

Moreover, incorporating and mainstreaming mental health in UHC can also support the integration of mental health into the more expansive national development agenda, forming possibilities for inter-sectoral alliance like education sector, social services, violence prevention.

UHC argues that the resources disbursed on mental health should not be considered as a cost, whereas they are truly ‘human capital’ assets that can yield a direct retrieval for the economy and for human development.

ARGUMENT 3 Mental health, UHC and human rights

Access to quality and feasible healthcare including mental health care is a right, not a request. Mental health must be integrated in UHC, if UHC is to attain its goal of delivering everyone the right to health.

The integration of mental health in UHC, if enforced according to a rights-based approach, would be a key stepping-stone towards recognizing the rights of people living with mental health situations, in accord with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), including the right to health, the right to freedom from torture, the right to liberty and security of the person, and others basic rights.

We can’t let an article to stop only with facts, thus let e conclude the above one with a simple but strong suggestion, if you ever think it is time to invest in Mental Health, its now, no “tomorrows”. We all are part of this community/society and it’s our responsibility to promote mental health and stop judgemental if anyone opens up with their mental health issues. Because, as I said earlier, eventually there is no health without mental health”. !

REFERENCES

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/determinants-of-health

https://unitedgmh.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/Universal%20Health%20Coverage%20-%20No%20Health%20Without%20Mental%20Health.pdf

https://www.unhcr.org/

“I personally didn’t saw any child labour by myself, but I used to hear about many working children…”, At least once in our lifetime, we had heard this sentence, with different rhythm or with different synonyms.

Well, it’s not something that is new to us. We used to see children standing in front of the hotels/restaurants with the placard “Hotel”, we used to see children who sell pens in trains and buses, we used to see children sitting near lottery stalls etc. I have used the word “we used to…” it is because we do see things and pretends to be unnoticed.

I personally heard an incident stating, when one of my friend saw a child selling pens, she felt sympathized and bought 1 pen and gave 5 pen’s money. When focussing a good heart or a plot for a feel good movie with a heroine is doing this and the chances of hero seeing this is really high and appreciable. But, in reality, it’s the worst form of promoting child labour as well as begging.

While, India is considered to be a developing nation with more abstract laws and policies, still 1 out of 10 child labours across the world is from India.

We will have numerous questions based on Child Labour such as what child labour entails?, Which age is considered as child labour?, How child labour affects Society and Economy?, Is Child Labour is illegal and still happening in India and so on.. There are endless questions which start with 4Ws and H, where we need answers. But this time we can connect our answers to the questions.

Children around the world are routinely employed in paid and unpaid types of work that are not dangerous to them. And also they are classified as child labourers when they are either so young to take up a job, or are entangled in hazardous activities that may affect their physical, mental, social or may be educational development. As per Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, discussing on the age factors, no children can be employed in any kinds of works below the age of 14 and no children within the age group of 14-18, can be employed in hazardous occupations.

And too, there is relation between Right to Education (Free and Compulsory) Act, 2009 and Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, where children should be provided with free and compulsory education within the age group of 6-14.

12 June marks the World Day against Child Labour under the theme “Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour.” Across India child labourers can be seen in a variety of enterprises like Bidis (hand-rolled cigarettes), Brassware, Cotton, Fireworks, Footwear, Gems, Glass Bangles, Incense (agarbatti), Leather Goods/ Accessories, Locks, Matches, Mica, Silk Fabric, Silk Thread, Soccer Balls, Sugarcane, Thread/Yarn Bricks, Carpets, Cottonseed (hybrid), Embellished Textiles, Garments, Rice, Sandstone, Stones.

The emerging field where children are exposed to labours are Mica field. Many cosmetics like lipsticks, foundation powder is made using Mica for the glittering effect, and many famous products are using children for collecting mica.

Mining mica is a labour intensive method that needs going into slim shafts that often collapse and entrap children beneath the rocks. To find mica, minors are forced to go belowground, where they often encounter themselves in total darkness.

Despite of effective child protection system in India, there are so many reasons why child labour is increasing, mainly:

1. Poverty and lack of means of livelihood
2. Lack of education and awareness
3. Difference in socio-economic status
4. Unemployment
5. Migration and Emergencies/Disaster and
6. Discrimination

ARE THE THINGS YOU ARE CHOSING IS CHILD LABOUR FREE??

Which brands use child labour? A million dollar question that could blow your mind. We all love to use branded items, particularly for any functions or occasions, because we believe that, it will showcase our pride. But, have you ever taken a moment to scrutinize your products on each and every aspects of cruelty? Well, the answer is obvious; there would be at least one brand in your own wardrobe that involves with Child Labour.

Popular brands like Amazon, ALDI Nord Group, ALDI SOUTH Group, Arena S.P.A, Colosseum, IKEA, Mekong Timber Plantations, Morrisons, REWE Group, VF Corporation and Varner has committed and pledged to take Joint Action for the elimination of Child Labour.

Children are the roots of the past and blooms for the future. If they are not attended with utmost care, it will negatively affect the nation’s capital and the future. In a short term, everyone believes that, child labour would bring income to the household and helps for survival. But, in a long term it will fastens poverty and affects nation’s Economy.

Child Labour is not so called “someone” else’s responsibility; it is each and “everyone’s” liability. Take a step, nurture your future.