COLOMBO : World Mental Health Day is observed on Sunday, October 10 and was first observed in 1992. This is a global initiative supported by World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), World Health Organization (WHO) and related member organizations.
Mental Health in an Unequal World
The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) has declared this year’s theme to be ‘Mental Health in an unequal world’ which highlights the inequalities of the society.
As per Professor Gabriel Ivbijaro MBE JP, the WFMH Secretary General, this theme chosen for 2021, to highlight that access to mental health services remains unequal, with between 75% to 95% of people with mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries unable to access mental health services at all, and access in high income countries is not much better. Lack of investment in mental health disproportionate to the overall health budget contributes to the mental health treatment gap.
Another major inequality is due to the stigma and discrimination experienced by people who experience mental ill health. Stigma also affects their educational opportunities, current and future earning and job prospects, and also affects their families and loved ones.
COVID 19 and its impact on mental health
The COVID 19 pandemic has further highlighted the effects of inequality on health outcomes. The pandemic has and will continue to affect people, of all ages, in many ways: through infection and illness, sometimes resulting in death bringing bereavement to surviving family members; through the economic impact, with job losses and continued job insecurity; and with the physical distancing that can lead to social isolation.
The 2021 World Mental Health Day campaign ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’ would enable to focus on the issues that perpetuate mental health inequality locally and globally. WFMH emphasizes that we all have a role to play to address these disparities and ensure that people with lived experience of mental health are fully integrated in all aspects of life.
Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality
The World Health Organization (WHO) designed this year’s campaign under the theme Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality. WHO in a statement issued refers that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s mental health. Some groups, including health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected.
It is appreciated that, during the World Health Assembly in May 2021, governments from around the world recognized the need to scale up quality mental health services at all levels. Further, some countries have found new ways of providing mental health care to their populations. WHO in the World Mental Health Day campaign, will focus on showcasing such efforts made in these countries.
