10 October
World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is observed on 10th October every year, to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
Mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health. About 1 billion people are living with mental disorders. Growing social and economic inequalities, conflicts, violence and public health emergencies affect whole populations and threaten the progress towards improved well-being.
At present the world is struggling from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, wars, displacement of population and climate changes. About 84 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced during 2021. All these events have affected the mental health and well-being of world citizens.
Yet, relatively few people globally have access to quality, affordable mental health care. Mental health services have been severely disrupted and the treatment gap for mental health conditions has widened. Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to the right care.
The 2022 World Mental Health Day theme ‘Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority’ gives an opportunity to rejuvenate the efforts in making the world a better place.
All essential mental health needs can be covered by transforming the environments that influence the mental health of people and by developing community-based mental health services to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). We must intensify our collaborative action to integrate mental health care into primary health care.
We can visualize a world where mental health is valued, promoted and protected; where mental health conditions are prevented; where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy and where everyone can participate fully in society free from stigma and discrimination.
Action to protect and promote mental health in the workplace is also a crucial activity that will not only enhance mental and physical health of an individual but will also improve work performance and productivity and can be cost–effective also.
Working around the theme of “Making Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority” will be an opportunity for people with mental health conditions, advocates, governments, employers, employees and other stakeholders to come together to ensure that mental health & well-being becomes a global priority for all.
Mental health is important to everyone, everywhere.
Know more about Mental Health
World mental health report: Transforming mental health for all (WHO 2022)
References-
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2022
World mental health report: Transforming mental health for all (WHO 2022) https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240049338
