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There is no denying the fact that your <keyword id="19956983" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mental-health" source="keywords">mental health</keyword> affects every part of your life. After all, mental health is an important aspect of overall well-being, especially among young people who are navigating a world of rapid change, digital pressures, and societal expectations.<br /> <br />Neglecting mental health can lead to long-term consequences such as chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. In today’s fast-paced world, where technology and social media dominate much of young people’s lives, addressing mental health is more important than ever. A recent study has revealed that the youth of <keyword id="19895045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="singapore" source="keywords">Singapore</keyword> is facing mental health challenges and the situation deserves attention.<br /><br /><h2>Mental health issues in Singapore youth</h2>According to a PTI report quoting data from the nation-wide survey conducted by the <keyword id="23234918" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Institute-of-Mental-Health" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Institute of Mental Health" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Institute of Mental Health">Institute of Mental Health</keyword> (IMH), nearly one-third of young people in Singapore are facing severe or very severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress. The survey sheds light on the increasing prevalence of mental health issues among the younger population, with one in three respondents reporting serious mental health struggles.<br /><br />The National <keyword id="21279543" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="youth-mental-health" source="keywords">Youth Mental Health</keyword> Study, initiated in 2022, found that 30.6 percent of young Singaporeans experience significant symptoms related to depression, anxiety, or stress. The study identified several contributing factors to these mental health challenges, including <keyword id="23214883" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-bullying" source="keywords">cyber-bullying</keyword>, excessive use of social media, and concerns about body image. Young people who reported more than three hours of daily social media use were particularly vulnerable to mental health issues, as were those who had been victims of online harassment.<br /><br />IMH’s co-principal investigator, Associate Professor Swapna Verma, highlighted the unique pressures that today’s youth face, noting that social media can exacerbate body image concerns and lead to constant comparisons. "Navigating the complexities of youth is challenging enough, but young people today are grappling with unique issues that previous generations did not," she said. The anonymity offered by the internet, she explained, has made cyber-bullying a pervasive issue that can deeply affect mental health.<br /><br />The survey, which was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other institutions such as the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, is the first of its kind in the country. It aimed to provide a clearer understanding of the mental health challenges facing young people, as well as to identify gaps in treatment and available support systems.<br /><br /><h2>Body image concerns adding to poor mental health</h2>According to the study, concerns about body shape were another major factor contributing to poor mental health outcomes. This finding aligns with global trends showing that body image issues are increasingly common among young people, fueled in part by the portrayal of unattainable beauty standards on social media platforms. <br /><br />The government’s response to these findings emphasises the need for a comprehensive, society-wide effort to tackle youth mental health issues. In a joint statement released by Singapore’s Health, Education, and Social and Family Development ministries, officials said that the study's findings reaffirm the government’s strategy to address mental health challenges among the youth. This strategy, known as the National Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy, was launched in October of last year and advocates for a whole-of-society approach to <keyword id="20492818" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mental-health-awareness" source="keywords">mental health awareness</keyword> and intervention.<br /><br />The ministries further noted that the survey results are consistent with those of previous research on mental health, suggesting that these issues are widespread and not confined to isolated cases. The findings also call attention to the need for continued collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, and educational institutions to better support youth who are struggling with mental health issues.<br /><br /><em>(With PTI inputs)</em><br />

One-third of young people in Singapore facing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress: IMH study

The death of 26-year-old <keyword id="20468023" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EY" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="EY" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="EY">EY</keyword> employee, Anna Sebastian Perayil, shook the nation last week and people have been talking about the incident on social media. Her mother, in a letter to EY, had blamed “work stress” and said that she hopes no other family has to go through what they faced. Ever since the letter has gone viral, people are reacting to it. <br /><br />While many are saying how having a sense of <keyword id="19901232" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="work-life-balance" source="keywords">work-life balance</keyword> is important, others are lashing out at big companies for overworking their employees. Some experts have also weighed in on the debate, saying that the incident is unfortunate and people need to have compassion.<br /><br /><h2>Experts talk about work-life balance <br /></h2><br />In a conversation with ANI, Corporate Outbound Expert, Tanmay Pendse, urged the government to introduce clear regulations aimed at managing workplace stress more effectively. “We are training people for the last 15-16 years and through the management activities, we make sure that such sessions are included which helps in reducing the stress. After employees reach home they should spend good time with their family and stay away from mobile phones. I appeal to the government to come up with a specific policy so that these kind of situations can be tackled,” Pendse said. He also recommended the introduction of wellness activities like yoga in companies to help employees unwind and manage pressure.<br /><br />Nikhil Badgujar, an Associate Consultant at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), reflected on how stress is an unavoidable part of corporate life and has to be managed. He also said that what happened with the EY employee was very unfortunate. <br /><br />“Whatever happened is very unfortunate. People need to understand how to react to stress. Stress is relative, as the stress I am feeling is not the same for the other person. People (need) to understand how to react. I can easily understand this as these things are very common nowadays. We need to think about how we can reduce the impact. This is the only thing we can manage. Stress cannot be avoided but it can be managed. In the corporate world stress is a part of our life. We need to understand how to react to that. We are the solution makers itself." Badgujar said. <br /><br />Anand Kulkarni, a Process Specialist at Infosys, agreed that while stress is prevalent in many workplaces, it can be handled with the right mindset. "Being in the corporate for more than ten years, I have been experiencing and observing a lot of work stress. I handle stress by enjoying the work. Stress does exist in the corporate world but it is all about how you handle it.”<br /><br />Pushkar Aurangabadkar, an educator and author, took a more philosophical approach to the issue, noting that societal pressures often drive people into high-stress environments.<br /><br />"The incident is very painful and it has a lot to do with the kind of aspirations that we have these days. The majority of which comes from the compulsive obsession for owning a lot of things. It is not just the trap of corporate but we also need to consider what makes people get into these traps in the first place.”<br /><br />Aurangabadkar added that fostering compassion and promoting spiritual wisdom could help reduce feelings of isolation and pressure in the corporate world.<br /><br />"But there are means and ways in which this can be handled in a better way and as a society, we should be taking care of it. It depends on corporate culture and as everyone might be aware every company has a different culture. It depends from company to company what kind of culture they have that defines how much pressure is getting instituted in that organisation. But beyond that what I believe is compassion and the longing for spiritual wisdom need to be promoted in society because it can reduce the possibility of such incident. The reason is that beyond the pressure people are facing in corporate, it drills down the compulsion and loneliness that we are facing and the answers to which may lie in the compassion."<br /><br /><h2>EY employee's death shocks nation</h2><br />Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant, passed away in July 2024, just four months after joining EY in her first job. Her mother, in a heartfelt letter to the company, attributed Anna's death to extreme work pressure. The letter went viral on LinkedIn last week.<br /><br />Anna’s mother said in the letter that her daughter worked tirelessly, even on her convocation day despite experiencing chest pains. Though doctors found no immediate cause for concern, Anna continued to feel unwell. Her mother added how Anna’s manager would reschedule meetings during cricket matches and assign tasks at the end of the day, dismissing Anna’s concerns about the late-night workload.<br /><br />The letter added that despite her struggles, Anna chose to stay, eager to learn and gain experience, but the pressure proved too much. In her letter, Anna’s mother expressed her deep sorrow, not only at losing her daughter but also at EY's failure to provide support. She also said that none of Anna's colleagues or managers attended her funeral. <br /><br /><em><strong>(With ANI inputs)</strong></em><br />

Unfortunate incident, compassion needs to be promoted: Experts react to EY employee’s death

Anyone following the rhetoric around <keyword id="107950" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Artificial-Intelligence" source="Orion">artificial intelligence</keyword> in recent years has heard one version or another of the cl<keyword id="6355999" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI" source="Orion">ai</keyword>m that AI is inevitable. Common themes are that AI is already here and indispensable, and people who are bearish on it harm themselves. <br /><br />In the business world, AI advocates tell companies and workers that they will fall behind if they fail to integrate generative AI into their operations. In the sciences, AI advocates promise that AI will aid in curing hitherto intractable diseases. <br /><br />In higher education, AI promoters admonish teachers that students must learn how to use AI or risk becoming uncompetitive when it comes time to find a job. <br /><br />In national security, AI's champions say that either the nation invests heavily in AI weaponry, or it will be at a disadvantage against the Chinese and Russians, who are already doing so. <br /><br /> The argument across these different domains is essentially the same: The time for AI skepticism has come and gone. The <keyword id="6355118" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="technology" source="Orion">technology</keyword> will shape the future, whether you like it or not. You have the choice to learn how to use it or be left out of that future. Anyone trying to stand in the technology's way is as hopeless as the manual weavers who resisted the mechanical looms in the early 19th century. <br /><br />In the past few years, my colleagues and I (Nir Eisikovits, Professor of Philosophy and Director, Applied Ethics Center, UMass Boston) have been studying the ethical questions raised by the widespread adoption of AI, and I believe the inevitability argument is misleading. <br /><br /><h2>History and hindsight</h2> This claim is the most recent version of a deterministic view of technological development. It's the belief that innovations are unstoppable once people start working on them. In other words, some genies don't go back in their bottles. The best you can do is harness them for your good purposes. <br /><br />This deterministic approach to tech has a long history. It's been applied to the influence of the printing press as well as to the rise of automobiles and the infrastructure they require, among other developments. <br /><br /> But I believe that when it comes to AI, the technological determinism argument is both exaggerated and oversimplified. <br /><br /><h2>AI in the field(s)</h2> Consider the contention that businesses can't afford to stay out of the AI game. The case has yet to be made that AI is delivering significant productivity gains to the firms that use it. A report in The <keyword id="20856675" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economist" source="keywords">Economist</keyword> in July 2024 suggests that so far, the technology has had almost no economic impact. <br /><br />AI's role in higher education is also still very much an open question. Though universities have, in the past two years, invested heavily in AI-related initiatives, evidence suggests they may have jumped the gun. <br /><br />The technology can serve as an interesting pedagogical tool. For example, creating a Plato chatbot that lets students have a text conversation with a bot posing as Plato is a cool gimmick. <br /><br />However,  AI is already starting to displace some of the best tools teachers have for assessment and for developing critical thinking, such as writing assignments. The college essay is going the way of the dinosaurs as more teachers give up on the ability to tell whether their students are writing their papers themselves. What's the cost-benefit argument for giving up on writing, an important and useful traditional skill? <br /><br />In the sciences and medicine, the use of AI seems promising. Its role in understanding the structure of proteins, for example, will likely be significant for curing diseases. The technology is also transforming medical imaging and has been helpful in accelerating the drug discovery process. <br /><br />But the excitement can become exaggerated. AI-based predictions about which cases of COVID-19 would become severe have roundly failed, and doctors rely excessively on the technology's diagnostic ability, often against their own better clinical judgment. And so, even in this area, where the potential is great, AI's ultimate impact is unclear. <br /><br /> In national security, the argument for investing in AI development is compelling. Since the stakes can be high, the argument that if the Chinese and the Russians are developing AI-driven autonomous weapons, the United States can't afford to fall behind has real purchase. <br /><br />But a complete surrender to this form of reasoning, though tempting, is likely to lead the <keyword id="19899807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-" source="keywords">U.S.</keyword> to overlook the disproportionate impact of these systems on nations that are too poor to participate in the AI arms race. The major powers could deploy the technology in conflicts in these nations. And, just as significantly, this argument de-emphasizes the possibility of collaborating with adversaries on limiting military AI systems, favoring arms race over arms control.<h2><br />One step at a time</h2> Surveying the potential significance and risks of AI in these different domains merits some skepticism about the technology. I believe that AI should be adopted piecemeal and with a nuanced approach rather than subject to sweeping claims of inevitability. In developing this careful take, there are two things to keep in mind: <br /><br />-First, companies and entrepreneurs working on artificial intelligence have an obvious interest in the technology being perceived as inevitable and necessary, since they make a living from its adoption. It's important to pay attention to who is making claims of inevitability, and why. <br /><br />-Second, it's worth taking a lesson from recent history. Over the past 15 years, smartphones and the social media apps that run on them have come to be seen as a fact of life - a technology as transformative as it is inevitable. Then data started emerging about the <keyword id="6354774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mental-health" source="Orion">mental health</keyword> harms they cause teens, especially young girls. School districts across the United States started to ban phones to protect the attention spans and mental health of their students. And some people have reverted to using flip phones as a quality of life change to avoid smartphones. <br /><br />After a long experiment with the mental health of kids, facilitated by claims of technological determinism, Americans changed course. What seemed fixed turned out to be alterable. There is still time to avoid repeating the same mistake with artificial intelligence, which potentially could have larger consequences for society.

Is AI dominance inevitable? A technology ethicist says no, actually

With Gen Alpha already leading the latest wave of memes (<em>skibidi toilet, anyone? No one?</em>), it can start to feel like toddlers are learning to scroll before they can walk. With social media turning out to become a massive part of growing up nowadays, Australia has become the first nation to step up with plans to ban it for minors. This has sparked a question that desperately needs to be answered: just how much is too much when it comes to kids on social media?<br /><br />The risks aren’t just rumours. Researchers have been raising red flags for years, suggesting that too much screen time at a young age can have lasting effects. So, let’s take a look at what science has to say about how early exposure to social media affects kids’ minds, moods, and everything in between.<br /><h2>The sleep struggle</h2>It’s not just adult sleep that gets disrupted by blue light — it’s kids’ sleep too, only they’re even more vulnerable. Screens, especially before bedtime, can delay the release of melatonin, the hormone that tells our bodies it’s time to sleep. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who use screens near bedtime often get less sleep and end up feeling groggy the next day. That leads to more than just fatigue; lack of sleep can also affect kids' learning, memory, and even mood stability.<br /><h2>Scrolling through emotions</h2>The social media effect on mental health is a bit like playing with fire. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, while moderate use can boost self-esteem and help kids feel more connected, too much can tip the scales the other way.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="115056492" title="I&amp;#39;m a mom of 6 and don&amp;#39;t throw birthday parties after age 1. Kids don&amp;#39;t remember them and they are a waste of money." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Excessive social media can lead to anxiety, depression, and lower self-worth. Kids may also suffer from FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), as they constantly compare themselves to the perfect-looking snapshots of others. Imagine dealing with that pressure before you even hit high school — it’s no wonder it’s causing stress for young minds.<br /><h2>Attention span on shuffle mode</h2>Social media doesn’t just grab kids’ attention; it keeps it on a fast-paced rollercoaster. Research from multiple regions, including India, shows that children who spend a lot of time on social media might find it harder to stay focused on tasks without instant rewards. The endless cycle of quick likes and notifications can make schoolwork and even daily routines feel sluggish by comparison. Think of it as training kids’ brains to expect rewards on a constant, rapid-fire basis — something that real life just doesn’t offer.<br /><h2>Virtual friends vs. real connections</h2>Kids might feel like they have tons of friends online, but are those connections as meaningful as the ones they’d make in person? UCLA researchers found that kids who spend a lot of time online may struggle to develop strong social skills in real life, like reading body language and empathy.<br /><br />This doesn’t mean that social media is all bad; for marginalised kids or those who have niche interests, it can provide a sense of belonging and community. But the danger is when those virtual friendships start replacing real ones, making it harder for kids to connect offline.<br /><h2>Cyberbullying and online harassment</h2>The internet has its darker sides too, and cyberbullying tops the list. According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, more than half of adolescents have experienced cyberbullying in some form. Unlike traditional bullying, which might stop once the school bell rings, online bullying can follow kids home, affecting their mental health long-term. Kids who face bullying online are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and even thoughts of self-harm, making the need for boundaries even clearer.<br /><h2>Body image battles</h2>Apps like Instagram and TikTok are fun — but they can also be a trap for body image issues, especially for girls. A study published in the Body Image Journal found that young girls who frequently use social media are more likely to experience body dissatisfaction. When kids see a constant feed of “perfect” lives and appearances, they can start to feel that they don’t measure up, even if they’re barely old enough to understand the concept of self-esteem.<h2>To post or not to post?</h2>Despite the risks, social media isn't all bad. When used responsibly, it can be a powerful tool for learning and creativity. These platforms can enhance creative expression and provide educational content that supports academic growth. For children with special interests or those who feel isolated, online communities can offer a sense of belonging and support.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="115028734" title="I was a teen dad on food stamps. Now that I&amp;#39;m a multimillionaire, teaching my kids to appreciate money is really difficult." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>As we continue to integrate technology into every aspect of our lives, understanding and mitigating its impacts on our youngest members becomes ever more crucial. F or parents and caregivers, the key lies in setting boundaries, fostering open communication, and guiding children to navigate the digital world thoughtfully. Australia’s stance might just be the catalyst needed to inspire similar protective measures worldwide, ensuring that children can enjoy the benefits of technology without falling prey to its pitfalls.<br />

Scrolling to doom? Here's what happens to kids when they are exposed to social media early in their lives

Earlier this week, the death of yet another corporate employee shook the nation. Various other incidents also made headlines last month, where employees of some big companies reportedly died of work pressure. With a rise in such incidents, people are talking about the importance of <keyword id="19901232" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="work-life-balance" source="keywords">work-life balance</keyword> and <keyword id="19956983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mental-health" source="keywords">mental health</keyword> at workplace. <keyword id="20253489" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Zoho" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Zoho" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Zoho">Zoho</keyword> CEO and Co-founder <keyword id="19914274" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sridhar-Vembu" source="keywords">Sridhar Vembu</keyword>, in a new interview with PTI, has called for a fundamental shift in how companies treat their employees. <br /><br />In the interview, the entrepreneur warned that organisations pushing their workforce to unsustainable limits will not be able to keep up the pace. He also called for a shift in mindset and said that people are being put in a "very big pressure cooker."<br /><br /><h2>Zoho CEO on putting employees in pressure cooker<br /></h2><br /><keyword id="21154651" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vembu" source="keywords">Vembu</keyword>, who has spent over two decades building Zoho into one of India’s leading tech companies, expressed deep concern over the increasing pressure faced by employees, particularly in large cities. He said that we are creating environments where workers are trapped in a ‘pressure cooker’, referring to the convergence of long working hours, grueling commutes, and the isolation many young professionals experience after migrating from smaller towns.<br /><br />"You already have loneliness, long-commutes, stressful work condition. So, you are throwing people into a very big pressure cooker, and very tragically, some people break, other people are broken," he told PTI. <br /><br />Reflecting on his own experience, Vembu stressed the importance of pacing oneself in order to sustain a long and productive career. “I have been working for 27-28 years, and I hope to work for another 28 if possible. But to do that, I cannot allow myself, or my employees, to burn out,” he explained. He argued that companies prioritising short-term gains at the expense of their workers’ health are doomed to falter in the long run.<br /><br /><h2>What's the solution?</h2>Vembu’s advocacy for a healthier work culture is grounded in his broader vision for corporate India. A long-time proponent of decentralising business operations, he believes that one solution to the high-stress environment is to diversify away from major urban centres. “We bring young people from small towns into big cities, and their first challenge is loneliness. Then, they face commutes that can stretch up to two hours each way, particularly in cities like Bengaluru. It’s no surprise that many feel overwhelmed,” he said.<br /><br />The Zoho chief pointed out that by expanding operations into smaller towns and rural areas, companies can alleviate some of these pressures, allowing employees to stay closer to their homes and communities. This approach, he believes, not only reduces stress but also fosters a more sustainable, human-centric model of growth.<br /><br />Beyond <keyword id="22447710" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="workplace-stress" source="keywords">workplace stress</keyword>, Vembu touched on the role of technology in shaping the future of business. He reiterated his call for tighter regulations on big tech companies, particularly in preventing the monopolisation of digital services. Drawing parallels between email, which is an open standard, and messaging services that are often locked within proprietary ecosystems, he urged the government to push for greater interoperability. “Messaging platforms should not operate in silos. We need standards that prevent monopolies and ensure a level playing field for all,” he remarked.<br /><br />Vembu also praised India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiatives, calling them a “shining success story” and a model for other nations. He highlighted how India has become a global leader in digital infrastructure, with initiatives such as the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) and the health stack setting new standards for the world to follow.<br />

People being thrown in pressure cooker, different mindset is needed: Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu on India’s work culture

With the <keyword id="20613906" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-survey" source="keywords">Economic Survey</keyword> flagging a rise in <keyword id="19956983" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mental-health" source="keywords">mental health</keyword> issues among <keyword id="19916609" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indians" source="keywords">Indians</keyword> calling for a <keyword id="20740266" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="paradigm-shift" source="keywords">paradigm shift</keyword> on how to address the problem, experts on Monday said it is an unaddressed health crisis in India. They called for increasing accessibility to mental health resources, raising <keyword id="19927137" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="awareness" source="keywords">awareness</keyword>, reducing <keyword id="20448786" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stigma" source="keywords">stigma</keyword> and developing robust support systems to tackle the issue while also highlighting the need to find comprehensive solutions to contributing factors such as work pressure and societal expectations, among others. <br /><br /> "Mental health problems are an unaddressed health crisis in India. Nearly 20 per cent of people live with mental health problems in India. Depression and anxiety are common causes of disability. There is a treatment gap of more than 80 per cent," Achal Bhagat, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, said. <br /><br /> The indirect economic cost of loss of livelihoods due to mental health is significantly high as it is not only for the person living with mental health problems but also due to the loss of livelihoods for the caregivers, he added. <br /><br /> Expressing similar views, Shambhavi Jaiman, Consultant Psychiatrist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said the impact on productivity is substantial, reflecting the broader implications for societal well-being and economic stability. <br /><br /> "The contributing factors - work pressure, societal expectations, financial worries, and insufficient support systems - create a complex web of stressors that require comprehensive solutions," she added. <br /><br /> Jaiman said addressing mental health issues involves increasing accessibility to mental health resources, raising awareness, reducing stigma and developing robust support systems. <br /><br /> "Creating a supportive environment where mental health is prioritised is essential for fostering a healthier, more productive society," she said. <br /><br /> Sameer Malhotra, Senior Director and Head Dept of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, pointed out that factors such as growing consumerism, excessive competition, shrinking social and family support networks, increased pace of life and growing distress, timeline pressures, lesser time for self and family are driving rise in mental health problems globally. <br /><br /> "Disturbed mindset influences concentration, productivity at work and economics as well," he added. <br /><br /> The Economic Survey 2023-24 flagged a rise in mental health issues among Indians, calling for a paradigm shift towards a bottom-up, whole-of-community approach to address the problem. <br /><br /> Although it noted that India is creating positive momentum in policy development by recognising mental health as a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, the survey said, "While most of the policy design is in place, proper implementation can accelerate the improvement on the ground. That said, there remain certain gaps in the existing programmes which need to be addressed to maximise their effectiveness". <br /><br /> The fundamental issue of the lack of awareness about mental health and the stigma surrounding it can render any sincerely crafted programme unfeasible, it added. <br /><br /> "Hence, there is a need to bring about a paradigm shift and utilise a bottom-up, whole-of-community approach in addressing the topic of mental health. Breaking the stigma starts with taking cognisance of the natural human tendency to accept physical ailments and seeking treatment for the same while being in denial about mental health issues," the survey said. <br /><br /> To an extent, the denial is an outcome of fear about social attitudes and social acceptance after one 'comes out' with mental health issues, it said. <br /><br /> "For public health officials, tackling mental health requires acknowledging and addressing this fundamental reluctance. Arguably, mental health issues drag down productivity more widely in the ecosystem than individuals' physical health issues. Hence, paying attention to mental health issues in society is both a health and an economic imperative," the document noted.

Mental health problem an unaddressed health crisis in India: experts after Economic Survey findings

Could your <keyword id="21578914" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sex-life" source="keywords">sex life</keyword> be the key to a <keyword id="21516607" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="longer-life" source="keywords">longer life</keyword>? According to a new study, women who regularly engage in <keyword id="20989065" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sexual-activity" source="keywords">sexual activity</keyword> might just have a better shot at living longer. The findings come from a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative study conducted in the United States.<br /><h2>The study in a nutshell<br /></h2>The research, led by public health scientist Srikanta Banerjee of Walden University, surveyed 14,542 adults between the ages of 20 and 59. Participants were asked about their sexual activity over the past year. About 38% reported having sex at least once a week.<br /><br />For women, the results were striking. Those who had sex less than 52 times a year were three times more likely to die from any cause over the five-year study period compared to those who had sex more frequently. This link remained significant even after accounting for factors like education, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.<br /><br />Interestingly, the same connection wasn't found in men. However, sexual activity still played an important role for both men and women, especially those with poor <keyword id="19956983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mental-health" source="keywords">mental health</keyword>. Participants with <keyword id="20074966" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="depression" source="keywords">depression</keyword> who had sex less than 52 times a year had nearly a 200% higher chance of dying compared to non-depressed individuals, while those who were sexually active more than 52 times a year had a 75% higher risk.<br /><h2>Why sex matters — especially for women<br /></h2>The study builds on previous research that has highlighted the <keyword id="19923745" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-benefits" source="keywords">health benefits</keyword> of <keyword id="22747265" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="partnered-sex" source="keywords">partnered sex</keyword>, including improved cardiovascular health, reduced stress, increased happiness, and even enhanced brain health. Solo sexual activities, like masturbation, have also been linked to reduced stress and better sleep.<br /><br />However, this new research suggests that the benefits of sexual activity may be more pronounced for women, particularly in terms of longevity. While the exact reasons for this aren't clear, the study's authors point out that depression, which is more common in women, has been linked to a higher risk of premature death. Regular sexual activity might offer some protection against this risk.<br /><h2>The limits of the research<br /></h2>It's important to note that the study doesn't delve into the specifics of sexual activity, such as the types of sex or the level of satisfaction involved. The authors acknowledge that adding more detailed measures of sexual satisfaction in future research could help to clarify the findings.<br /><br />Before you jump to any conclusions, there’s an important caveat: the study also found that men who engaged in daily sexual activity were six times more likely to experience premature death than women who did the same. So while regular sex might be good for your health, moderation is key.<br /><br />There’s still much to learn about how sexual activity affects long-term health outcomes. But the takeaway from this study seems clear: regular sex, in moderation, could be a boon to your health—especially if you’re a woman. Just remember to listen to your body and take breaks when needed.<br /><br />The full study was published in the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/26318318241256455#bibr1-26318318241256455"><em>Journal of Psychosexual Health</em></a>.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112095011" title="Asia&amp;#39;s governments think people not having sex or dating may be tanking their birth rates. That&amp;#39;s not the full picture." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />

Can sex really boost your lifespan? A new study says yes, but mostly for women

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Noelia Voigt announced she was stepping down as Miss USA on Monday. </li><li>"Never compromise your physical and mental well-being," she wrote in a statement. </li></ul><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-universe-usa-noelia-voigt-utah-pageant-parents-2023-11">Noelia Voigt</a> is no longer Miss USA.</p><p>Voigt announced on Monday that she was resigning from the role, writing in a statement on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6oIKIYLDGG/?hl=en">Instagram</a> that she strongly values "the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health."</p><p>"I realize this may come as a large shock to many. Never compromise your physical and mental well-being," she wrote in the caption of her post. "Our health is our wealth. A million thank you's to all of you for your constant and unwavering support. Time to write the next chapter. I hope you'll stick around to see what's next."</p> <p>Voigt, who <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-usa-pageant-winner-miss-utah-2023-9">was crowned Miss USA on September 29</a> and made it to the top 20 at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-who-have-won-miss-universe-pageant-2023-11">Miss Universe</a>, said her journey as Miss USA "has been incredibly meaningful."</p><p>"Never could I have imagined the journey that my childhood dream would take me on," she wrote in her statement. "Constant and consistent hard work and dedication all lead me to where I am today, and I hope that over the last seven years of competing in pageantry and sharing my journey with you all is something that inspires you to never give up on your dreams, whatever they may be."</p><p>Voigt also thanked her fans, family, friends, coaches, and current Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava for their support.</p><div type="image" title="Miss United States Noelia Voigt during the Miss Universe competition." height="2000" width="1429" msid="109894097" hostid="261"></div><p>"Deep down I know this is just the beginning of a new chapter for me, and my hope is that I continue to inspire others to remain steadfast, prioritize your mental health, advocate for yourself and others by using your voice, and never be afraid of what the future holds, even if it feels uncertain," she added.</p><p>In a statement sent to Business Insider, a spokesperson for the Miss USA organization said it respects and supports Voigt's decision to step down.</p><p>"The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time," the statement read. "The organization is currently reviewing plans for the transition of responsibilities to a successor and an announcement regarding the crowning of the new Miss USA will be coming soon."</p><p>Voigt's resignation comes just days after Claudia Michelle resigned as the social-media director for the Miss USA organization, writing in an Instagram statement that "being offered your dream job and seeing that it was anything but is so disheartening."</p> <p>Michelle said she had seen a "decline" in Voigt's mental health since they first met and wanted to speak out in support of the pageant queen.</p><p>"This is a women's empowerment organization and my hope in making this statement is to restore some of the empowerment back to these titleholders that was so deeply lost in their year," Michelle wrote. "Having not signed any contracts or NDA's, I feel as if I am in the position to speak on what I have witnessed. I feel the way current management speaks about their titleholders is unprofessional and inappropriate."</p><p>"I don't believe in taking sides. I believe in telling the truth," she added. "I believe Noelia and Uma's mental health and happiness has taken a toll and I cannot remain silent about that. I will always stand for and support the brand that uplifts and empowers its women. The brand IS the titleholders. Without them, there is no Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. I believe their voices and their stories should be heard and not silenced."</p><div type="image" title="Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt at Miss Universe" height="1024" width="683" msid="109894100" hostid="261"></div><p>Michelle resigned less than a month after Voigt announced on social media that she no longer had access to the official Miss USA social-media accounts.</p><p>"With that being said, know any feed or story posts are comments coming from that account are not personally coming from me," she wrote in an Instagram story on April 12.</p><p>The Miss USA organization then shared a statement in an Instagram story announcing that its social-media pages would be run by the brand rather than the titleholders "to ensure consistent content."</p><p>Voigt was the first Venezuelan-American woman to win Miss USA and the first <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/states-that-have-never-won-miss-usa-pageant-2023-9">Miss Utah</a> to win the title since 1960. She had <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-miss-usa-won-first-runner-up-three-times-2023-10">won first runner-up three times</a> before reaching the national pageant stage.</p><p>"It could have been very easy for me, all those times getting first runner-up, to just say, 'I can't do this anymore, I'm so frustrated,'" Voigt told Business Insider at the time. "But instead, every time I got first runner-up, it was more fuel to the fire for me to keep on going."</p><div type="image" title="Miss USA 2023" height="1333" width="2000" msid="109894103" hostid="261"></div><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-usa-pageant-controversy-timeline-2023-9">Miss USA hasn't been able to shake off scandal</a> over the past few years.</p><p>The organization made headlines after Miss USA 2022 contestants claimed the pageant had been rigged in favor of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rbonney-gabriel-miss-usa-universe-rigged-controversy-scandal-2023-9#:~:text=Gabriel%20won%20Miss%20USA%202022,to%20take%20home%20the%20crown.&amp;text=The%20day%20after%20the%20pageant,done%20before%2C%22%20she%20said.">R'Bonney Gabriel</a>, who went on to win Miss Universe.</p><p>Contestants also told BI at the time that they <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-usa-contestants-said-they-had-no-mental-health-support-2022-10">received no mental health support</a> during the competition, which had taken place just months after <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cheslie-kryst-memoir-details-miss-usa-experience-2024-4#:~:text=Cheslie%20Kryst%20said%20she%20was,competition%20before%20winning%20the%20crown&amp;text=Cheslie%20Kryst's%20memoir%2C%20which%20was,by%20suicide%20in%20January%202022.">Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst</a> died by suicide.</p><p>Following the controversy, it was also uncovered that Max Sebrechts had quietly stepped down as vice president following <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-usa-pageant-controversy-explained-2022-10">allegations he sexually harassed contestants</a> during the Miss USA 2021 pageant. Sebrechts denied the allegations in a statement sent to BI at the time. His wife, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-usa-crystle-stewart-no-longer-president-2023-8">Crystle Stewart,</a> stepped down as president of Miss USA in August 2023 and was replaced by Laylah Rose.</p><p>Voigt, Michelle, and representatives for the Miss Universe organization did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.</p>

Miss USA Noelia Voigt has resigned to focus on her mental health 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Dana Mayer moved back to the US after living in the UK for 25 years.</li><li>She used to get frustrated by the British tendency to accept mediocrity.</li></ul>I wasn't prepared for how much the US had changed when I moved back. I'd been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-american-misses-after-moving-back-from-uk-2022-11">living in the UK</a> for 25 years, but when the <keyword id="19913581" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandemic" source="keywords">pandemic</keyword> kicked off in March 2020, I decided it was time to go home.<br /><br />It wasn't until returning that I realized how British I'd become and that "home" was more difficult to define. Now, after having lived almost half my life in each country, I feel equally in love with both, although for very different reasons.<br /><br />I struggled with the lack of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/social-life-differences-living-in-uk-compared-to-us">personal space in the UK</a> — some of that stems from the UK's population density being almost eight times that of the US per square mile, per <a target="_blank" href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.POP.DNST">World Bank Open Data</a>.<br /><br />This translated into <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/london-dumpster-tiny-home-how-i-use-space-photos-2023-4">tiny homes</a> with common walls even in the countryside and jostling for sidewalk space in the cities. It also seemed to result in a populace adverse to talking to or making eye contact with strangers in order to protect their perceived sanity.<br /><br /><h2>Size and space struck me when I returned to the US</h2>Fresh out of COVID quarantine, I was visiting a friend in a New York City suburb, looking around their giant kitchen with its oversized fridge. I didn't even have to go outside to their huge lawn or the wooded roads surrounding the property to feel my energy expand into what was simply more space per person.<br /><br />This is also when I spotted an enormous orange pepper on the kitchen counter that looked like a mutant interloper. Was this actually food? Was it a pepper crossed with some kind of alien Godzilla? It was so big that I took a picture. I spent the rest of the day laughing at its size.<br /><br />In keeping with the <keyword id="20075613" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="American" source="keywords">American</keyword> freewheeling mentality, expansive personal space, and a business mindset that allows for growth and experimentation, the pepper, as well as other fruits, vegetables, and even portions, in the US are typically bigger.<br /><br />In the UK, the small peppers fit into small houses, and the food was closer to its natural form. Their relatively closed mindset of "we've always done it this way" actually kept their food closer to the source. However, we'll see how big their peppers get in the years ahead.<br /><br />The pandemic gave me time to reflect on a lot of things <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-brit-in-new-york-city-misses-about-england-manchester-2024-1">I missed about the UK</a> — the <keyword id="20050314" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Health-Service" source="keywords">National Health Service</keyword>, the intelligent level of public discourse, and the newscasters without plastic hair. There was also the quiet dignity of the seemingly closed people who would keep you out of their inner circle until, finally, they let you in in a grounded, loyal way.<br /><br />In contrast, folks in the US often unravel their whole life story to me while standing in the Target checkout line.<br /><br /><h2>But I never quite fit in while living in the UK</h2>In the UK, I always felt like an outsider in some ways, especially when doing things like playing Trivial Pursuit. No matter how long I lived there, I never got most of the cultural references, because it's not where I'd grown up. I'm glad now that in the US I don't have to explain to anyone of my generation what <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-kind-of-candy-corn-to-buy-reviewed-photos-2021-10">candy corn</a> is or who <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvAtG3T2NDY">Magilla Gorilla</a>, a 1960s cartoon, is.<br /><br />Still, I'm torn between the American expectation of excellence which can be over-the-top and relentless, and the British tendency to accept mediocrity, brush problems under the carpet, and sometimes have a more peaceful life as a result.<br /><br />When <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-gen-zer-moved-to-london-wouldnt-recommend-to-everyone-2024-5">I first came to the UK</a>, I waited tables at a tourist-trap restaurant where the food was overpriced and microwaved rubbish. When I went to the table and asked about the meal, almost every British customer replied, "It was lovely," in a shy, sheepish way.<br /><br />Years later, my British ex-boyfriend, who held a high-level management position and told people what to do all day at work, used to get embarrassed when I asked restaurant staff to please wipe the table because it was dirty. As an American I'd grown up feeling entitled to a clean table when paying for service in a restaurant. Now, I cringe when I see Americans in restaurants demanding a free meal because their drinks arrive five minutes late.<br /><br />Four years after <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mistakes-moving-to-america-from-uk-2023-11">moving back to the US</a>, I'm grateful for the personal space, the "yes!" mentality, and the abundance of nature. But I do miss the cultivated hedgerows of the UK and the quiet, more reserved style of its people.<br /><br />And no matter how much affinity I felt with the land there, there is also some knowing and grounding with the land here, which feels like it cannot be replicated anywhere else. Perhaps because this is where I was originally rooted.<br /><br /><em>July 4, 2024 — This story has been updated to remove mention of peppers in the US being massive due to the genetic engineering of crops.</em><br /><br /><em>Got a <keyword id="22368221" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="personal-essay" source="keywords">personal essay</keyword> about <keyword id="21389910" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="relocating" source="keywords">relocating</keyword> that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: </em><a target="_blank" href="mailto:akarplus@businessinsider.com"><em><u>akarplus@businessinsider.com</u></em></a><em>.</em><br /><br />

I moved back to the US after 25 years in the UK. People abroad were more polite than Americans, but I never quite fit in there.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Supplements aren't regulated in the US like drugs are.</li><li>It's important to do your homework before taking them, the director of the Office of Dietary Supplements said.</li></ul><p><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vitamins-dietary-supplements-not-worth-buying-dietitians-2023-7">Supplements</a> are a polarizing topic. While some people swear by them, others think they're a total waste of time and money.</p><p>But the US' top supplements expert, Stefan Pasiakos, told Business Insider that neither view is helpful.</p><p>"You need to come at it from an objective standpoint and let the evidence speak for itself," said Pasiakos, who leads the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health, a government body that assesses the latest scientific findings on supplements to strengthen public understanding.</p><p>Pasiakos, a nutritional scientist by training, joined the ODS in July 2023 with the goal of bringing a high level of scientific objectivity to the supplement field, he said. By providing people with clear information, he hopes he can help them make informed choices that optimize their health.</p><p>Dietary supplements from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/multivitamins-for-memory-older-adults-benefit-2023-10">multivitamins</a> to probiotics have become staples in our bathroom cabinets, with almost 58% of Americans saying they had taken some kind of supplement in the past 30 days, according to the latest <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db399.htm#:~:text=Among%20U.S.%20adults%20aged%2020,60%20and%20over%20(80.2%25).">data from the CDC</a> published in 2021. It's no surprise, then, that the US dietary supplement market had an estimated value of $45.1 billion in 2023, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/828481/total-dietary-supplements-market-size-in-the-us/">Statista</a>.</p><p>But the FDA doesn't approve supplements before they hit the market, meaning, unlike drug manufacturers, companies don't have to conduct multiple clinical trials to prove their products work, quantities of ingredients don't always have to be listed, and products are sometimes contaminated by or cut with other substances not mentioned on the packaging. One <a target="_blank" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807343?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social_jamajno&amp;utm_term=10743549280&amp;utm_campaign=article_alert&amp;linkId=225481243">2023 study</a> published in JAMA Network Open found that 89% of the 57 dietary supplements tested didn't accurately list their ingredients.</p><p>While this means doing your homework before taking a supplement is crucial, it doesn't mean they can't play a role in supporting and promoting health, Pasiakos said.</p><p>He shared three common misconceptions about supplements that could prevent people benefiting from them.</p><h2 id="bae5144e-ea2f-428c-9907-12d3c1c6ad15">1) The more supplements, the better</h2><p>When it comes to vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, more is not always better, Pasiakos said. It's common for people to think that because something is "natural" you can't have too much of it, but that's untrue, he said.</p><p>There are instances where consuming above and beyond what's recommended is unsafe, and for a lot of natural products, we simply don't know where those upper levels are, Pasiakos said.</p><p>When people take above the recommended daily limit of a supplement, the effects can be serious. In May 2023, a man died after taking <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/man-killed-by-vitamin-d-supplements-2024-2">too much vitamin D</a> over nine months.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/risks-popular-supplements-vitamin-d-magnesium-2024-4">Overdosing on magnesium</a>, meanwhile, can in extreme cases, cause paralysis and death, while overdosing on vitamin C can lead to kidney problems and vitamin B12 deficiencies, professor Rob Chilcott, the head of toxicology at the University of Hertfordshire, UK, previously told BI.</p><div type="image" title="A woman browses the supplement aisle in a store." height="1414" width="2121" msid="113962537" hostid="261" sizebytes="152838"></div><h2 id="14b98670-a04a-4851-b255-b229a967fb8a">2) Supplements are 'tainted and adulterated'</h2><p>People tend to fall into two camps, those who think all supplements are "tainted and adulterated" and others who think they all work, Pasiakos said.</p><p>Pasiakos said that certain resources, such as the ODS's supplement fact sheets, can help people make informed decisions about supplements, while the third party NSF Product Certification program can guarantee a product contains what the label says it does.</p><p>But it's important to know that verification programs are not backing any health claims a company might make about their product. "It's simply saying that what's on the label is in the dietary supplement," he said.</p><p>"All I would say is that people make sure that they become educated on these products, understand what's in them, and know that the industry is not out to get them. But there are certainly aspects of certain dietary supplements that may be considered unsafe," he said.</p><h2 id="9b3c3c37-ffd3-424f-984c-6059a8335205">3) Supplements are a silver bullet</h2><p>Pasiakos said people are always looking for a silver bullet to make them healthy, but they won't find it in dietary supplements.</p><p>Like many dietitians, Pasiakos takes a food-first approach to his health. He sees supplements as complementary to a healthy diet, not as a way to replace or substitute one.</p><p>"You can't look at dietary supplements without understanding the underlying diet," he said. If you don't know what a person is eating and getting from their diet nutrient-wise, you can't advise them on what dietary supplements they should take, he said.</p><p>"I can't just ignore that. So that's why I look at it that way."</p>

3 common myths about supplements that prevent people from improving their health, according to the US' top expert 

A sixth-grade social science textbook that I read described India as a piece of fabric, with countless threads coloured in a myriad of majestic shades, woven together. This metaphor holds exceptionally well when put into the context of our <keyword id="22706215" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-industry" source="keywords">handloom industry</keyword>. <br /><br />India has a rich history of handlooms and weaving cultures. The culture of handlooms is so intricately woven into Indian culture, that there are whole towns dedicated to the same: <keyword id="248532" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chanderi" source="Orion">Chanderi</keyword> in Madhya Pradesh to Pochampally in Telangana and a dozen more! <br /><br />Unfortunately, the handloom industry in India is dying. The struggle is multi-faceted, ranging from a declining workforce to fierce competition from <keyword id="20496028" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="power-looms" source="keywords">power looms</keyword>. Hence, five years ago, August 7 was proclaimed <keyword id="22677698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Handloom-Day" source="keywords">National Handloom Day</keyword> in response to this crisis and to heighten public awareness. <br /><br />This date holds special historical significance, commemorating the initiation of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905—a pivotal act of defiance against British colonial rule. <br /><br /><h2>When did this industry come into existence?</h2>According to archaeological findings, the origins of handloom in the Indian subcontinent may be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The Mughal Empire was known to support and patronise <keyword id="20258864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weavers" source="keywords">weavers</keyword>. The support from the royal patrons resulted in the invention of new textiles such as ‘Mulmul’ and ‘Banarasi Brocade’ among others. This era witnessed a heightened worldwide demand for Indian textiles. In the 17th century, India produced 25% of the world’s textiles, with Bengal accounting for more than 50% of textiles and 80% of silks imported by the Dutch from Asia.<br /><br /><h2>What led to the decline of the <keyword id="19934660" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-handloom" source="keywords">Indian handloom</keyword>?</h2>The East India Company's entry fuelled the industry's initial decline, which started in the 1830s. The weavers were obliged to sell only to the British, and that too at exceedingly cheap prices, virtually putting them out of business. On the other hand, Indian cloth was taxed excessively to promote machine-made British clothing. <br /><br />The Industrial Revolution in Britain strengthened their indigenous textile industry, giving rise to new markets for cheaper textiles. In India, the collapse of the Mughal aristocracies meant no access to royal patronage. As a result, textiles like Khadi and muslin had little demand in the market.<br /><br />Circling back to the present, the industry is facing both similar and new challenges. Fabrics made on power looms are cheaper and faster to produce, in comparison to handloom fabrics. <br /><br />The industry is largely unorganised, and the wages are shockingly low. 67% of <keyword id="22706216" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-workers" source="keywords">handloom workers</keyword> are earning less than the minimum wage every month. Faced with economic challenges, the older artisans are thus forced to encourage the newer generation to choose an alternative career path. This migration of the workforce from a traditional sector is evident from the fall in the number of weavers less than 35 years of age- from 26.13 lakh in 2009-10 to 16.07 lakh in 2019-20. <br /><br />The majority of weavers do not have access to banking facilities, let alone institutional credit. Furthermore, if one manages to accumulate credit, there is a mismatch between the supply and demand forces due to the lack of awareness about handwoven textiles in the current generation.<br /><br /><h2>Initiatives for revival</h2>The cultural significance of the Indian handloom isn’t just limited to its beauty and extravagance, but it extends to our independence struggle as well. The Swadeshi movement immortalised the <em>charkha</em> and advocated for the use of indigenous goods. Following independence, the Indian government took many measures to revive the handloom industry. <br /><br />In 1953, India’s Parliament approved the Khadi and Other Handloom Industries Development Act. In 1955, the All India Handloom Fabrics Marketing Cooperative Society was formed to promote the sale of fabrics produced by handloom cooperatives across India. <br /><br />The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) aimed to provide financial assistance for marketing and production. The Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme offers health and life insurance to weavers, to ensure social security. The organisation commenced a fortnight-long exhibition, “VIRAASAT” dedicated to celebrating the 10th National Handloom Day began at Handloom Haat in Janpath, New Delhi on Saturday, 3rd August 2024, and will conclude on 16th August 2024.<br /><br />The Handloom Mark scheme was introduced to authenticate handloom products, thus enabling weavers to gain better market access and ensuring that consumers get genuine products. Moreover, the India Trade Portal also mentions that the GOI plans to provide financial assistance of Rs. 30 crore to at least 10,000 handlooms.<br /><br />Various state governments also regularly conduct handloom expos and fairs, providing platforms for weavers to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers.<br /><br /><h2>Contemporary Brands and their love for Indian handloom</h2>Modern, popular designers such as <keyword id="8264" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sabyasachi" source="Orion">Sabyasachi</keyword> and <keyword id="21493890" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ritu-kumar" source="keywords">Ritu Kumar</keyword> are known to work closely with weavers and have been doing their part by bringing worldwide attention to the handloom industries. Recently, <keyword id="1472101" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ajrakh" source="Orion">Ajrakh</keyword> was brought into the limelight when Alia Bhatt wore a custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Ajrakh saree to Joy Awards in Riyadh. <br /><br />However, it’s not just the fashion moguls who are working towards the revival of this industry. Contemporary indie brands are partnering with local weavers, and creating awareness about their work. The emergence of such indie brands and their association with local artisans is beneficial for both entities. <br /><br />For instance, Joskai Studio derives its name from <em>‘Joskai’</em>, a woven piece of cloth worn as a part of the traditional costume of the Tiwa community of Assam. They work with artisans in northeast India, specifically from the weaving village of Saualkuchi in Assam. <em>Rouka</em> by Sreejith Jeevan is a Kerala-based brand that works strictly with weavers from Kerala, specifically Chendamangalam and Kuthampally.<br /><br /><h2>Employment and Exports</h2>According to the Indian Trade Portal, the Indian handloom sector is the country’s second-largest employer after agriculture in rural areas. The Handloom Census 2019-20 mentions that the industry employs about 35,22,512 workers across the country, with women forming 77.29% of the workforce.<br /><br />India is the second largest exporter of handloom products in the world, with exports valued at $ 353.9 million in 2017- 18, as per EXIM bank's working papers. <br /><br />The major handloom export centres are Karur, Panipat, Varanasi and Kannur where handloom products like bed linen, table linen, toilet linen, floor coverings, and embroidered textile materials and curtains etc. are produced for export markets. During April 2021-February 2022, India exported handloom products worth 1693 crore, as per Indian Trade Portal. <br /><br />Indian silk scarves also form a sizable chunk of total handloom exports, in addition to home textiles like carpets, rugs and mats, which constitute over 13.6% of India’s total handloom exports.<br /><br /><h2>The Path Forward</h2>The mere existence of organisations and allocation of funds isn’t enough to sustain the legacy of India’s rich handloom industry. Big corporations working with local weavers ensure employment but don't protect them from exploitation and meagre wages, leaving them vulnerable.<br /><br />The people in power ought to come up with strategies that ensure the trickle-down effect of the schemes and funds. The new generation of buyers has a greater purchasing power than the one before them. Marketing focused on bringing Indian handloom practices into the limelight can do wonders in this case.<br />

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