Dr Manmeet Singh
On 10 October 2022 we will be celebrating World Mental Health Day with the theme ‘Make Mental Health and Well-Being for All a Global Priority’ .
World Mental Health Day is also a chance to talk about mental health in general, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to talk about things and get help if you are struggling.
Where as, close to 1 billion people around the world are living with a Mental Disorder, and relatively few people around the world have access to quality mental health care.
The corona virus pandemic has resulted in the deterioration in the mental health and well-being of the general public and has shown that no nation was prepared for the associated mental health crisis and the effects of long COVID.
Our world is also reeling under the effects of the wars, displacement, and the climate emergency, all of which have consequences for the well-being of world citizens. Rates of people experiencing suicidal ideas are increasing globally and people with lived experiences of mental illnesses, their families and other populations continue to tell us about that their mental health well-being is not always in the mind of governments . In high income countries over 75% of people with depression have reported that they do not receive adequate care and in low and middle-income countries over 75% of people with mental health conditions have received no treatment at all. Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to the right care.
There is increasing evidence that the prevention of mental ill health is possible by using both general and targeted evidence-based interventions. These can improve outcomes for individuals across the spectrum of mental disorder and life course. We can all play our part in increasing awareness about what preventive mental health interventions work.
* Governments have an important role to play. We need to work with Governments and other stakeholders to apply universal preventive measures that reduce the risk of mental ill-health. This includes the promotion of social inclusion policies, improved support and direct investment for vulnerable populations and investment in communities and youth to reduce crime.
* We need to support well-being interventions across the entire lifespan from pregnancy, birth, early childhood, early teens, adulthood to older adulthood – we need to improve the social determinants of health and address mental health stigma and discrimination.
* The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Goals (SDG’s) adopted at the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly in 2015 cannot be achieved unless we make a meaningful investment in improving mental well-being for all.
* The COVID 19 pandemic has shown that many health systems are ill-prepared to deal with the physical and mental health challenges faced by their populations. We need a new compact for mental health.
* Society and citizens matter. Civil society’s role needs to be enhanced and enabled so that people can make their own contribution to mental health and well-being in their communities and workplace.
* Collaboration between governments, citizens and policy makers needs to be strengthened. So that we can develop truly integrated processes that deliver mental health and well-being to all our population. No community and no individual should be left behind.
Important Strategies and approaches that focus on social resources to promote and protect mental health and well being.
Promotion strategy
* Support mental health
* Identify, support and refer patients and other caregivers with mental health conditions
* Peer support groups for patients and caregivers
* Enable good parenting
* Caregiver skills training for caregivers of children and adolescents
* Peer support groups for parents
* Create protective learning environments
* Improve school culture and safety
* Preschool education and enrichment programmes
* Anti-bullying programmes o Anti-racism and anti-sexism programmes
* Peer support groups and mentoring programmes within schools
* Educate about Substance Use and its harmful effects among Youths.
* Create protective working environments
* Policies to mitigate psychosocial risk factors (for example on working hours and harassment)
* Mental health awareness raising and training to enable workers to provide initial support to colleagues in distress
* Reasonable work accommodations for people with mental health conditions
* Enable healthy personal relationships
* Healthy relationship programmes for youth and couples
* Anti-discrimination and anti-violence empowerment and education programmes
* Strengthen social support for older adults
* Befriending initiatives
* Community clubs, Yoga, meditation centres and social activities for the aged
* Create safe and supportive neighbourhoods
* Physical changes to improve social interaction
* Community policing
* Role of Media in creating awareness about mental health disorders and also emphasis on Substance (DRUGS) use and its harmful effects.
* Good lifestyle medications with emphasis on diet, exercise and sleep hygiene measures also plays an important role in improving one own’s mental health and well being.
This day also reminds us that whatever we’re going through, we’re not alone. Too often we think that we’re the only ones facing a hard time. It’s uplifting to know that other people have gone through it and made it out to the other end. It also reminds that we can overcome pain. As our understanding of mental health grows, so does our ability to seek proper treatment. With the help of Mental health professional and necessary medication, you can operate on a more efficient level.
(The author is Professor and Head of Department, Postgraduate Department of Psychiatry, ASCOMS, Jammu)
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