On Saturday 10 October 2020 we observe and celebrate World Mental Health Day.
It’s an opportunity especially for organisations (from governments to employers) to scale-up investment in mental health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), United for Global Mental Health and the World Federation for Mental Health. This year’s event comes at a time when our daily lives have changed considerably as a result of the pandemic. The past few months have brought many challenges for everyone from health-care workers to students, as well as the vast number of people who live in poverty with limited protection from Covid-19. The economic consequences of the pandemic are already being felt, as companies let staff go in a bid to save their businesses, and some are shutting down completely.
From past crisis experience, the need for mental health and psychological support will substantially increase in the coming months and years. According to WHO statistics, almost one billion people are are living with a mental disorder worldwide. Around three million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol. Additionally, one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide. Billions of people worldwide have been affected by the pandemic, which is having a further impact on their mental health. Yet, relatively few people around the world have access to quality mental health services, pointed out WHO. In low- and middle-income countries, more than 75% of people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders receive no treatment for their condition at all. Furthermore, stigma, discrimination, punitive legislation and human rights abuses are still widespread.
HISTORIC NEGLECT
“World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for the world to come together and begin redressing the historic neglect of mental health,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We are already seeing the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on people’s mental well-being, and this is just the beginning. Unless we make serious commitments to scale up investment in mental health right now, the health, social and economic consequences will be far-reaching.”
INVESTMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH
That’s why this year’s campaign is focusing on increased investment in mental health by governments and employers. During the past few months, WHO in collaboration with partners, has issued guidance on mental health for health and other frontline workers, managers of health facilities, and people of all ages whose lives have changed considerably as a result of the pandemic. With the disruption in health services, countries are finding innovative ways to provide mental health care. Initiatives to strengthen psychosocial support have sprung up. Yet, because of the scale of the problem, the vast majority of mental health needs remain unaddressed, noted WHO. The response has been hampered by chronic under-investment in mental health promotion, prevention and care for many years before the pandemic.
OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER SUPPORT
The World Mental Health Day campaign will offer opportunities, mainly online, for us all to do something life-affirming. As individuals, it’s encouraging us to take concrete actions in support of our own mental health, and support struggling friends/family. Additionally, it wants employers to take steps towards putting in place employee wellness programmes and governments to commit to establish or scale-up mental health services.
“It is nearly 30 years since the first World Mental Health Day was launched by the World Federation for Mental Health,” stated Dr Ingrid Daniels, President of the World Federation for Mental Health. “During that time, we have seen an increasing openness to talk about mental health in many countries of the world. But now we must turn words into actions. We need to see concerted efforts being made to build mental health systems that are appropriate and relevant for today’s – and tomorrow’s – world.”
Adding to her comments, Elisha London, Founder and CEO of United for Global Mental Health, stated: “With so many people lacking access to good quality, appropriate mental health services, investment is needed now more than ever. Everyone, everywhere can participate in this year’s campaign. Whether you have struggled with your own mental health, know someone who has been affected, are a mental health expert, or if you simply believe that investing in mental health is the right thing to do, move for mental health, and help make mental health care and support accessible for everyone.”
KEY EVENTS
Today, on 9th October, people from around the world will be encouraged to participate in a virtual march. A 24-hour livestream will feature people with lived experience, mental health leaders and influencers from 19 countries through the Speak Your Mind campaign. In addition, global partner organisations are organising sessions on specific themes, such as mental health and young people, mental health and older people, and mental health and the LGBTQ+ community. Confirmed partners include Human Rights Watch and Alzheimer’s Disease International. The march will help increase awareness of mental health issues, break down stigma and bring about policy change. Members of the public will be urged to “add their voice” and join the march using online filters to be released in the lead-up to the event.
On 10 October – World Mental Health Day – WHO will host a global online advocacy event on mental health for the first time. At the Big Event for Mental Health, WHO will showcase the work its staff are doing around the world to reduce mental illness and the harmful use of alcohol and drugs. World leaders and mental health experts will join WHO’s Director-General to talk about their commitment to mental health and what more must be done.
World-renowned musicians who have spoken out about the importance of mental health will talk about their experiences and perform. Sportsmen and women whose lives have been affected by mental ill health will also share their experiences on how they have dealt with conditions, such as depression and anxiety. During the event, a Special Prize will be awarded for a mental health film – a newly-created category for WHO’s inaugural Health for All Film Festival.
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