People never talked about the importance of mental health, it was something a normal topic, for some people just an overthinking and that’s where they lack. Knowingly or unknowingly we ignore the most important thing to be discussed, but in 2020 because of the lockdown when people got self-inspection time, they realized it what’s there mental state is.
We have seen a lot of suicide news during that time, the major reason was unstable and ignorance of mental health. When a person is disturbed and shares his/her issues with someone, but the other person has no idea of what is mental health and suggests the sufferer person not to overreact, which becomes the step towards depression.
Mental health is the process of taking care of your mind, keeping it stable, and not letting it enter in pessimistic thought which may lead to depression. Mental health awareness is very important, that is why the whole World celebrates the 10th of October as a World Mental Health Day with the general purpose of boosting awareness of mental health problems around the world and rallying actions in support of mental health.
The Day allows all stakeholders working on mental health problems to talk about their work, and what extra needs to be performed to make mental health maintenance a sensibility for people worldwide, they will help out to know symptoms and precautions.
“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.”
Glenn Close
Every year there is a varied theme of it, and in the 2020 World Health Day theme put up within the context of the COVID-19 global epidemic and was accordingly launched as ‘Support Nurses and Midwives”, as they faced some stressful and challenging months.
The World Health Organisation goal this year is to increase investment in mental health.
Let’s open our eyes and spread the importance of mental health, initiate by celebrating World Mental Health Day.
Mental Health Key Facts
- Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders – WHO
- Mental health is an integral part of health; indeed, there is no health without mental health. – WHO
- Depression is a common mental disorder and one of the main causes of disability worldwide. Globally, an estimated 264 million people are affected by depression. – WHO
- 1 person in 5 (22%) living in an area affected by conflict is estimated to have depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. – WHO
“Mental health…is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.”
Noam Shpancer, PhD
Steps to promote mental health (Source: WHO)
- Take early childhood interventions which includes stable environment with health and nutrition.
- Support to children with programmes like skills developments, child and youth development programmes.
- Socio-economic empowerment of women
- Social support for elderly populations
- Mental health promotional activities in schools
- Mental health interventions at work
- Violence prevention programmes
- Community development programmes
- Poverty reduction and social protection for the poor;
- Anti-discrimination laws and campaigns;
- Promotion of the rights, opportunities and care of individuals with mental disorders.
Read more on WHO mental health programmes
Did you know?
- Every year close to 800 000 people die as a result of suicide. This is one death every 40 seconds.
- There are indications that for each person who dies of suicide there are likely to be more than 20 others who attempt suicide.
- Risk factors contributing to suicidal thought or behavior, include previous suicide attempts, harmful use of alcohol and mental disorders.
- 200,000 people die by suicide in the Western Pacific Region, accounting for 25% of global suicides.
- Over 75% of all suicides in the region occur in low- and middle-income countries
Disclaimer: This Article content including advice provides only generic information. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a Specialist or your own doctor for more information. Funtrafoo does not claim responsibility for this information.
