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World Mental Health Day
Theme
On 10 October 2022, we celebrate World Mental Health Day. The day reminds us to think about mental health and well-being individually and collectively. This year’s theme for WMHD is “Make mental health for all a global priority.”
Statistics
During the pandemic, services, skills, and funding for mental health remained in short supply. The lack of support impacted low and middle-income countries tremendously—even before the pandemic. As a result, statistics show that 1 in 8 people already lived with a mental health disorder.
Crisis
The pandemic created a global crisis for mental health and emphasised short- and long-term stress and anxiety. As a result, the statistics rose in anxiety and depressive disorders by more than 25% in 2019. In addition, there was a massive disruption in mental health services, widening the treatment gap for mental health conditions.
Impact
In the last three years, growing social and economic inequalities, conflict, violence, and public health emergencies have become more apparent. Moreover, the pandemic threatened to worsen well-being as 84 million people were affected by stress, anxiety, and depression because of the pandemic.
Improve
We must improve value through commitment, engagement and investment by all stakeholders across all sectors and industries. Mental Health Care needs through community-based networks must be accessible, affordable, quality-driven, and supported by everyone.
Stigma
Even today, with all that we know, mental health disorders are stigmatised, and there is still intolerance, social exclusion and lack of proper access to mental health care services. However, we can all contribute to increasing awareness by communicating openly and without judgment about mental health challenges. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to renew our commitment to improving mental health care for ourselves and the people around us.
Promote
Value, promote and protect mental health initiatives through access, support, access to counselling, and just caring enough to understand that we never know what someone is going through. Be kind. Be Attentive. Be Mindful.
