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sabv þ Pq-¬- 2026 klP 50 The observation of World Health Day on 7th April every year demonstrates that health remains our foremost concern. With most people these days experiencing lifestyle diseases and climate change related health problems, this day helps them to evaluate their methods of self-care and their approaches to caring for others. The event brings together governments and society, and health practitioners to demonstrate the need for enhanced public health solutions. World Health Day communicates its fundamental message that all people should have access to high quality medical treatment as their fundamental right. The World Health Day was established to make sure Article Pachu Menon “Behavioural addiction is recognized by many professionals as a non-drug addiction sharing characteristics with gambling disorders, involving compulsive use, loss of control, and withdrawal symptoms exemplified by anxiety and restlessness when unable to use the phone”
-sabv þ Pq-¬- 2026 klP 51 that the world’s most pressing health concerns got the attention of action they deserved. The World Health Organization (WHO) was the key force behind this initiative, in collaboration with the United Nations. More importantly, the World Health Day brings major medical concerns to the centre of discussions. Sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary choices are being blamed for the gradual, but unchecked, rise of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension globally. Recent global events have heavily underscored the threat of infectious diseases. The focus remains on promoting vaccination, improving sanitation, and strengthening global pandemic preparedness to safeguard populations. Besides that, psychological health is gaining much-needed recognition. This day emphasizes breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness, advocating for better psychiatric care, and integrating emotional wellness into overall health assessments. Yet, despite being a rising health concern, ‘mobile addiction’ is only considered an emerging, niche issue compared to the broader, existential threats that define World Health Day campaigns. Just as the other lifestyle diseases, cell-phone addiction is a serious public health issue with severe physical and mental health consequences, and a significant disruptor of daily life and wellbeing. The American Psychiatric association does not yet officially identify smartphone addiction as a mental health disorder, even though many professionals acknowledge it as a behavioural addiction. Constant phone use is often seen as a necessary part of modern life rather than a behavioural problem. Behavioural addiction is recognized by many professionals as a non-drug addiction sharing characteristics with gambling disorders, involving compulsive use, loss of control, and withdrawal symptoms exemplified by anxiety and restlessness when unable to use the phone. Yet ‘mobile detox’ is not typically a central theme on this World Health Day because the World Health Organization uses this day to focus on critical, large-scale global public health priorities such as universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness, or major non-communicable diseases, rather than specific lifestyle behaviour adjustments. Going on a digital detox is a great way to exercise mental self-care, according to a mental health and wellness counsellor I know. “There is an immense need for child counselling by competent psychiatrists so as to prevent addiction to smartphones,” says another reputed doctor. It does come as a surprise to note that World Health day is a ‘reset button’ for global policy and systemic health issues, while mobile detox is viewed as an individual lifestyle practice. The struggle to reduce mobile usage is driven by the addictive design of social media and apps, which leverage psychological triggers to keep users engaged. The efforts put in by smokers to quit their love for Lady Nicotine are testimonials that have become powerfully inspiring success stories highlighting the strength of human willpower, the value of support systems, and the ultimate reward of a healthier life. These narratives reflect that quitting any addiction is often a challenging journey
-sabv þ Pq-¬- 2026 klP 52 involving multiple attempts, personal sacrifices, and overcoming significant cravings, yet they ultimately serve as proof that freedom from addiction is possible. Alcohol and substance abuse in the country has reached alarming levels, with studies indicating that millions are affected. While alcohol remains the most common psychoactive substance used, the consumption of drugs is widespread across both urban and rural areas. In comparison, the obsession with screens, social media, and digital validation is a dominant, modern trend that is rapidly affecting younger generations while also impacting older ones. The government has launched initiatives like the ‘Nash Mukti Bharat Abhiyan’ to curb the menace, focusing on prevention, counselling, and rehabilitation, though experts call for stricter implementation and increased infrastructure for treatment. The transition from phone obsession to addiction has redefined human dependency, transforming mobile devices from tools of convenience into essential, often uncontrollable, extensions of self. This redefined dependency is characterized by a ‘heads-down’ generation, where usage is no longer simply functional but deeply emotional and psychological. The Indian government has initiated several measures to check excessive smartphone use and digital addiction, particularly among children and adolescents, focusing on awareness, regulation, and mental health support. Evidence suggests that mobile addiction, referred to as ‘problematic smartphone use’, should receive greater attention, as it shares key characteristics with recognized behavioural addictions and can severely affect mental health, acting as a ‘silent killer’ among youth. Research indicates that smartphone addiction can trigger anxiety, depression, and structural brain changes similar to substance addiction. According to the WHO, although recognized as a serious public health concern with detrimental mental and physical health effects, several factors prevent it from receiving top-level, central focus during World Health Day, including a lack of definitive diagnostic criteria, the complexity of measuring ‘addiction’ versus ‘use’, and the competing priorities of established global health crises. The news however that the World Health Organization and health authorities are not ignoring the issue comes as a great relief. The WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse has been examining the public health implications of excessive Internet and Smartphone use since 2014, and issued guidelines in 2019 regarding screen time for children up to five years of age. Before the whole issue veers off on a tangent, smartphone addictions should come in the gambit of behavioural addictions. Just as gambling is, excessive smartphone use is a non-substance addiction. ** Behavioural addictions are compulsive behaviours like gambling, internet/gaming use, compulsive shopping, pornography consumption etc.