Sri Lanka, Oct. 10 -- Today marks World Mental Health Day, observed globally and in Sri Lanka at a time when increased attention to mental health is crucial.

Over 150 countries worldwide are celebrating the day with the theme: "Mental health is a universal human right."

The day has been commemorated since 1992 with the aim of raising awareness about mental health issues and encouraging efforts to promote mental well-being.

Sri Lanka observes this day amidst reports that 10% of the country's population suffers from various mental illnesses, with 2% of the population affected by severe mental disorders.

A significant challenge is that both children and adults sometimes fail to seek proper treatment for mental issues due to various misco...