Drugs used to treat teenagers who have been diagnosed with internet addiction and depression are placed on a table at Daxing Internet Addiction Treatment Center in Beijing February 22, 2014.
IN PHOTO: Drugs used to treat teenagers who have been diagnosed with internet addiction and depression are placed on a table at Daxing Internet Addiction Treatment Center in Beijing February 22, 2014. As growing numbers of young people in China immerse themselves in the cyber world, spending hours playing games online, worried parents are increasingly turning to boot camps to crush addiction. Military-style boot camps, designed to wean young people off their addiction to the internet, number as many as 250 in China alone. Picture taken February 22, 2014. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

While a normal health check up at the doctor's is a routine ritual for some people, mental health check ups are far less common. With an exceeding number of people falling prey to different mental health conditions, experts are urging people to consult their physicians for even the mildest symptoms observed.

Each year, Oct. 10 is observed as world mental health day. According to the World Health Organization, the objective of this day is to raise awareness about the mental health issues around the world, as well as mobilise efforts in support of mental health.

World mental health day brings together mental health experts from around the world who share their insights on the issue and how the mental conditions of people can be improved - from new mental health policy announcements in an effort to bring balance to mental-physical health, to governments taking a pledge to improve the mental health status of their respective countrymen.

Let's take a look at the mental health trends and associated efforts being taken in a few countries.

Australia

It is estimated that each year, nearly 65,000 Australians try to take their own lives. The suicide rate is estimated to be 66 percent higher in rural and remote areas of Australia than in cities.

A day before mental health day, Labor announced its plan to cut suicide rates by half within the next 10 years. It has planned 12 suicide prevention initiatives, an indigenous mental health plan and a suicide prevention framework.

Labor's plan takes into consideration the recommendations of the National Mental Health Commission.

India

While the situation is still under control in Australia, the condition continues to worsen in India. Experts say that India is set to become the suicide capital of the world, with 90 percent of deaths caused due depressive symptoms.

“It has been found that about 40 percent suicides among males and 56 percent of suicides in females are in the age group of 15-24 years and the leading cause is depression, which is the biggest form of mental disorder,” said Dr. Atmesh Kumar in a statement.

Doctors attribute the increase in the number of suicides within the country to factors such as increased stress levels, psychiatric disorders, lack of support from family and peers, lack of proper treatment and intoxicant abuse. Many patients, especially youths, rely heavily on anti-depression pills and different physical and psychological therapies.

US

A recent study conducted by a team of Canadian researchers revealed that more than 50 percent of workers interviewed over the phone showed signs of depression. However, none of them were seeking treatment of any sort, with many thinking that they would not benefit from treatment at all.

"This barrier has a significant impact on health and work productivity and is an area where employers can focus efforts to reduce work productivity loss," said Dr. Carolyn Dewa, the lead author of the study.

Mental Health America, an organisation established in 1909, provides a free online tool for people so they can perform a mental health checkup privately at home. The organisation promotes health mental wellness, early identification and timely treatment of those with even subtle symptoms of depression.

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