On May 22, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for a global commitment to addressing mental health issues. This call to action is crucial because mental health conditions can affect all aspects of a person’s life, and yet they are often overlooked or stigmatized. As mental health affects more than 1 in 4 people globally, the WHO is encouraging individuals and nations to prioritize mental health and seek solutions on a global scale.
Several factors contribute to the need for a joint global effort to address mental health. Firstly, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital need for mental health support globally. More people are experiencing psychological distress, isolation, and anxiety due to the unpredictability and uncertainty of these trying times. Mental health services are also disrupted due to the pandemic. Thus, there is a concerted effort needed to prioritize mental health as part of the pandemic response and recovery effort.
Secondly, despite growing awareness of mental health issues globally, mental health care remains inaccessible, unaffordable, or not of sufficient quality in many low-and middle-income countries. This reinforces the existing gap in the quality of care provided to those who suffer from mental illnesses compared to physical illnesses. Furthermore, marginalized communities experience additional challenges in accessing mental healthcare professionals.
Thirdly, the magnitude of mental health issues calls for a collaborative effort to provide comprehensive mental health care. This extends the burden from healthcare professionals and institutions to government, private, and civil society sectors. Everyone has to collaborate and to improve access to essential medicines, mental health promotion, and to strengthen mental healthcare services to people who need them.
It is important to note that addressing mental health issues requires a sustainable and comprehensive approach rather than a one-off event. Nations must consider mental health when developing policy frameworks, strategizing interventions, and implementing programs. Mental health should be integrated into all aspects of care and should not be low priority.
The World mental health day is Annually marked out on October 10, and it is a day set aside for global awareness and action for mental health issues. It is essential to acknowledge that in addition to World mental health day, concerted global efforts are needed to address the unmet need for mental health care.
The WHO’s urgent call for a global commitment to mental health issues presents an opportunity for individual nations to take stock of their mental healthcare system. Governments, private, and civil society sectors must highlight the need for mental health care access to healthcare and prioritize mental health in poverty alleviation programs.
In conclusion, mental health is an essential aspect of holistic wellness, and it’s high time we make efforts to improve mental health services globally. The WHO calls for this global commitment to mental health issues, and we need to advocate for integrated and comprehensive mental health care services to ensure everyone gets the care they need. Mental health care accessible, affordable, and of good quality is essential for a thriving society, and it’s up to us to prioritize it.
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