World Mental Health Day
CBM has been involved in the Movement for Global Mental Health, which aims to improve services for people with psychosocial disabilities worldwide, since its inception. Community Mental Health is an important pillar of CBM's work in mental health worldwide.
-
- Sri Lankan girls, part of a community program for persons affected by the Tsunami, Sri Lanka. Photo: CBM/Lohnes © CBM / Lohnes
10 October is World Mental Health Day, a day of activities to raise awareness about the issue of Mental Health. The theme of this year's World Mental Health Day is Mental Health in Primary Care:
Enhancing Treatment and Promoting Mental Health.
Enhancing Treatment and Promoting Mental Health.
What is Mental Health?
Mental Health refers to a broad array of activities directly or indirectly related to the mental well-being component included in the World Health Organization (WHO)'s definition of health: "A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease". It is related to the promotion of well-being, the prevention of psychosocial disabilities, and the treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by psychosocial disabilities.
Why is this an issue for the developing world?
According to the WHO, there is huge inequity in the distribution of skilled human resources for mental health across the world. Shortages of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists and social workers are among the main barriers to providing treatment and care in low- and middle-income countries. Low-income countries have 0.05 psychiatrists and 0.16 psychiatric nurses per 100 000 people, compared to 200 times more in high-income countries.
There is also a need to strengthen the voice of users of mental health services and their role in advocacy issues, to ensure that the rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities are fully represented. For a link to the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, an international organisation of users of mental health services which advocates for the human rights of fellow users and actively promotes the user movement worldwide, see World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry
Why is supporting mental health resources in low income countries a priority?
Psychosocial disabilities, neurological and behavioural disorders are common in all countries around the world, causing immense suffering and staggering economic and social costs. People with disorders or psychosocial disabilities are often subjected to social isolation, poor quality of life and higher death rates. However, the financial resources needed to increase mental health services in low- and middle-income countries are relatively modest: US$ 2 per person per year in low-income countries and US$ 3-4 in lower middle-income countries.
Psychosocial disabilities, neurological and behavioural disorders are common in all countries around the world, causing immense suffering and staggering economic and social costs. People with disorders or psychosocial disabilities are often subjected to social isolation, poor quality of life and higher death rates. However, the financial resources needed to increase mental health services in low- and middle-income countries are relatively modest: US$ 2 per person per year in low-income countries and US$ 3-4 in lower middle-income countries.
Key facts on mental health
- Psychosocial disabilities are common. About one out of eight to half (12–48%) of all people will suffer from psychosocial disabilities at some point during their life.
- There are more than 75 million people with alcohol use disorders and more than 15 million people with other substance use disorders in the world.
- Epilepsy affects 50 million people worldwide, 80% of whom live in resource poor countries.
- Based on a 2004 World Survey, 35–50% of people with serious psychosocial disabilities in high income countries had received no treatment in the previous year. For low and middle income countries, more than three-quarters of those with serious psychosocial disabilities (76–85%) had not received any treatment during the same period.
- There are effective treatments for most psychosocial disabilities. Most of them can be delivered in primary care settings.
- Treatment does not always mean medication. Many psychosocial disabilities can be treated using psychosocial methods.
World Mental Health Day, an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health
The World Health Organisation and Mental Health
Learn more about the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme in developing countries: (mhGAP)
Read more about CBM's work with persons with neuro-psychiatric impairments: click here
