Twenty percent of state employees suffer from stress - Health Minister

According to statistics at the Mental Health Unit of the Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry, one in five public sector employees suffers from stress, Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne revealed this at the opening ceremony of the Pearl Child Guidance center for special needs children in Moragolla, Aluthgama recently. Speaking at the occasion Minister Rajitha Senaratne said the number of those who receive treatment for mental illness has also increased.

He said the mental stress and mental disorders among workers have increased due to the busy and competitive lifestyle and the problems at workplace and at home also contributed to the situation.

The Minister pointed out that the entire society is negatively impacted by the situation.

He stressed that the mental health, especially of children’s should be improved. He said a separate unit in the Health Ministry has been established for mental health.

“It is our responsibility to provide the facilities to care for children with special needs and ensure their safety while looking after them well,” the Minister said.

He commended the service of the foreign NGO, Friends Lanka Child Foundation is to build the guidance center for the special needs children in Sri Lanka.