The process of scholarly studies on mental health needs to be balanced, ambitious and mindful.
The
spine-chilling dialogue “Yeh suicide nahin murder hai sir” in a Bollywood movie
is still fresh in our minds and getting renewed from time to time. The scene of
the movie argues to combat mental health issues in the academic atmosphere. One
of the ways to curb the menace of mental health issues is to foster robust
academic research. Academic research promotes learning by highlighting the key
issues of society. But unfortunately, this research is a shambles.
However,
the dearth of such research across the globe remains a stark reality. The
apathy of academic probes toward the issue has not been duly addressed. The
precarious condition of research continues unabated. Over the years, scholarly
studies on mental health have been lacklustre. From several researchers’
perspectives, the scholarly studies on mental health in the space of research
remain shoddy and slow-paced and have been grappling with certain issues. It is
not confined to any country; rather such academic blight has contaminated the
academic fraternity on a global scale. The scientific probe or research process
is plagued with shortcomings starting from literature review to publication.
Literature review has its standing in the process of scholarly research.
Mostly, studies have been conducted with a quantitative approach, and the
robust qualitative approach to the topic is de-emphasised. The qualitative
narratives on the topic are getting skewed and lopsided owing to excessive
stress on quantitative research methodology. There is an inadequate approach
while deliberating the topic in light of children, women and geographical
locations of the subjects.
Mental
health issues in rural areas are not getting judicious space in research and
publications. Focus on issues unique to those living and working in rural areas
is abysmally missing. The dichotomy in terms of studies considering the mental
issues of males and females has been narrowly addressed, neglecting other
sexual orientation groups. Domestic violence has been excessively placed in the
domain of scholarly studies about mental health and wellness. Data collection
through a qualitative approach remains a herculean task that needs to be
suitably handled.
Research
publication is an imperative part of academic research. The structures and
processes of universities, research organisations and funding agencies tend to
focus on disciplinary expertise and publication outputs, driven by the quest
for research excellence. This arrangement has arguably been very efficacious,
with an increasing number of scientific publications. However, there has been a
growing disparity between the global south and the rest of the world when
addressing mental issues. Developing countries do not have adequate publication
scopes compared to developed countries. Many interdisciplinary journals in
developing countries are not paying minimum heed to the issues of mental
health. There is a time scarcity of reviewers. Again, potential reviewers are
not available in the domain.
Factors
like a dearth of skilled research supervisors in a particular area remain a
stumbling block in the process of academic research. Mental health research has
been underfunded when compared to the global burden of suffering, and little
has changed despite words from various funding organizations. Mental health
research funding is too little. Sometimes it is not logical and too much of the
meagre investment is on basic research. The WHO’s clarion call “Make mental
health & well-being for all a global priority” for the current year in
celebrating World Mental Health Day is well-deserving. Prioritising mental
health will be more pragmatic if research and practice go hand in hand, and a
holistic approach to mental well-being can be maintained.
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