Zee Media Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram: Mental depression is a condition which has the power to bind you within its cocoon-like walls and can make one feel internally and mentally suffocated and confined.

With many people coming out into the open about their respective battles with depression, the condition is slowly gaining the awareness it requires, inspiring more and more people to take it seriously.

However, a recent survey has discovered that mental depression has victimized around nine per cent people in Kerala, belonging to different age groups.

Besides depression, other mental issues including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and alcohol-related mental disease, were also prevalent among the people of the state, the survey conducted by the Kerala State Mental Health Authority and National Health Mission said.

It also found that one in every eight persons, that is 12.43 per cent of people covered under the survey, required psychiatric intervention.

Released by state Health Minister K K Shylaja yesterday, the survey was conducted in selected panachayts and municipalities of five districts - Kollam, Idukki, Palakkad, Wayanad and Kasaragod.

According to the survey, the most common mental disorder, found among those surveyed, was depression. While around nine per cent people were suffering from depression, 0.29 per cent had schizophrenia problems and 0.27 had bipolar disorder, it said.

As many as 1.46 per cent people, covered under the survey, were suffering from alcohol-related mental illness, it said.

The survey also found that 75 per cent people were getting treatment for the mental health issues while 25 per cent were yet to get proper treatment.

(With PTI inputs)