The Union Health ministry has advised states and Union Territories to hold screening sessions in school and college campuses for mental health and non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes and blood pressure at regular intervals. The aim is to ensure early diagnosis of these chronic diseases for their treatment on time.
In a letter to principal secretaries in states and UTs, asenior health ministry official sought implementation of measures like ensuringtobacco free campus, restricting use of unhealthy diet including sugarsweetened beverages and junk food in canteens and establishing counsellingcentres on mental health condition and tobacco cessation. The official alsoadvised promoting physical activity and yoga in the campus and creating anenabling environment to mitigate air pollution.
“Investment in risk behaviour prevention and healthpromotion among youth are the most cost-effective ways to improve healthoutcomes. Education institutions can play a critical role in these areas,” theletter stated.
The letter mentions that majority of risk behaviour thatimpacts health takes shape during young age. The prevalence of common mentalmorbidity including depression in the age group of 18-29 years is around 9 percent as per National Mental Health survey.It is also estimated that nearly 12 per cent ofpeople in the age group 15-24 years use tobacco products and around 5 per centof individuals in the age group of 15-29 years are either obese or over-weight.”You will appreciate relatively small interventions focused on youth will payhigh dividends in creating a healthy and empowered society,” the letter stated.