‘India is facing a possible mental health epidemic’, warned Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India, speaking at NIHMANS in 2017.
We wholeheartedly agree with him and so do the statistics. According to data published by NIHMANS, around 80 percent of people suffering mental health issues do not seek out mental healthcare because of the stigma, lack of access, or high cost of mental health services.
Is it really surprising that so many of us silently suffer from bludgeoning mental health problems? Is it surprising that we do not know how to react when somebody tells us that they are struggling with their mental health?
National Family Health Survey, 2017 mentions that 197.3 million Indians need an intervention, of which 45.7 million suffer from depression and 44.9 million face anxiety disorders. To tackle this, we only have about 9000 psychiatrists in India. Their numbers are growing, but so is the number of people in need of help.
It’s quite obvious that there’s a massive wedge between our mental health support systems and the ones who need them. The numbers speak for themselves. Mental health professionals are facing unprecedented challenges while dealing with the influx of emotional crises.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had someone to limit this rift? Someone who could tend to psychological scars before they translate into mental illness? We’re not talking about neurological or acute conditions like ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or CPTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), but preventable issues like emotional breakdowns, the feeling of hopelessness, or not having anyone to talk to about your deepest secrets.
We’re very quick to dismiss the gravity of rejection, failure, or fear. They have a very real impact on our mental wellbeing. When ignored, one psychological injury leads to another and then another and on it goes. Before you know it, you have developed a mental health condition.
What if we told you that the practice of Emotional First Aid can help you deal with these psychological injuries right when you get them? What if we told you that you don’t have to stick to your old and counter-productive defense mechanisms? What if we told you that you can change the way you deal with negative life events?
You guessed it, Emotional First Aid Academy is here to lead the way! EFA Academy began as a vision, nay, a movement to bridge the gap between our mental health support systems. We are here to create an army of emotional support warriors who will stand guard against those creeping negative thought-patterns and destructive habits. We’re here to educate every citizen to fortify their own mental health.
We can do this by educating everyday people to become mental health advocates. The founder of EFA Academy, Sunita K Mani, brings over 10 years of experience in psychotherapy to the table. She has expertly curated the Emotional First Aid Certificate Course guiding you from the fundamentals of psychology to the nitty gritty of becoming a support system to those in need. People who have completed this course are called Enablers.
Also Read: What is Emotional First Aid: 5 Ways to Practice It
Does this sound like something you feel passionately about? Well, we’ve been looking for you!
We know you have a mental health champion aka Enabler in you. Now is the time to take that leap! The Emotional First Aid Certificate Course is specially crafted for passionate people eager to make a mark as a mental health ally.
Before we get you onboard, we just have a tiny exercise for you. Since mental health is such a nuanced subject, we need to understand your perspective and where you are on your own mental health journey. It will give us an insight into your mind and the way you approach emotional wellness.
All you need to do is sign up here and fill the Mental Fitness Assessment. If you pass the assessment, you can enrol into the upcoming Emotional First Aid Certification Course and be well on your way to become a mental health champion. Just like you’ve always dreamed of! And if not, don’t be disheartened. There’s always next time!
Hurry up! We can’t wait to have you on the good side of the fight against mental health problems!
Join our tribe of dreamers and doers!
Emotional First Aid Academy is leading a mental health movement in India.
We are breaking the taboo and making mental health accessible to everyone!
Do you want to join this nation-building cause?