We should try to demystify mental ailments: Health minister Satyendar Jain

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New Delhi: Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain has urged doctors to reach out to people in order to demystify mental ailments.

"There are a lot of misconceptions attached to mental ailments. But these are like other diseases. Many people ignore and hide mental ailments," he said at the inauguration of a long-stay home at Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) in east Delhi.

"But society should open up and listen to others more than speaking. That will help in addressing the issue of mental ailments," the minister said.

Jain also urged doctors and psychiatrists to reach out to people as social taboos keep patients in psychological closets.

"We see 'babas' (godmen) holding sermons and engaging people. I say, you (doctors) should also start something like that and engage people in talking about mental health issues.

"As well-qualified professionals, who spent years understanding obscure diseases, you should share with people, in simple language, what these diseases mean and help demystify it so that they (patients) do not feel hesitant," he said.

(With PTI inputs)