Mental illness is a medical condition.

A person does not simply "get over" mental illness without some form of treatment. Mental illness is generally a lifelong, chronic medical condition that needs consistent treatment.

As per the National Mental Health Survey, the prevalence of psychiatric illness was about 7.3% in adolescents aged between 13-17 years due to depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorder and attentive deficit hyperactive disorder which later leads to suicides. Psychiatric illnesses are the leading cause of children suicides in India.

Our objective through this petition is “To develop a school-based mental health justice program for youth in India.” Just like Mid-day Meals Scheme, there should be free counselling sessions, workshops, lectures about mental health in all schools and in workspace.

We all must have heard the phrase “Charity begins at home” in the same way we must educate the parents to be more open to the problem related to their children’s mental health and theirs as well rather than ignoring it.

According to Right to Free Legal Aid [Under sub-section (2) of section 27, page 14, section 121 subsection (4), clause (e)]  “All mental health establishments shall display signage board in a prominent place in local language regarding the right of the persons with mental illness to seek free legal aid and contact information of the Legal Service Authority.”

And to conclude we would like say that mental health should be treated as important as our physical health. Lets always remember “It’s okay, to not be okay."