In current years, there has been increasing recognition of the critical role mental health plays in accomplishing global development goals, as evidenced by mental health's inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals. Depression is a significant cause of disability. Suicide is the second-highest cause of death among adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 29. People with severe mental health issues die early due to as many as two decades before due to preventable physical diseases.
Despite improvements in some nations, individuals with mental health disorders frequently face significant infringement of their human rights, discrimination, and stigma.
Numerous mental health issues can be adequately treated at a minimal cost, yet the gap between those in need of care and those who have access to care continues to be significant. Coverage of effective treatments continues to be exceedingly low.
Increased investment is necessary on all fronts: in mental health awareness to foster understanding and reduce stigma; in efforts to expand access to high-quality mental health care and effective treatments; and in research to develop new therapies and improve existing treatments for all mental disorders. In 2019, WHO established the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (2019-2023): Universal Health Coverage for Mental Health to enable access to quality and affordable care for mental health disorders in 12 priority countries to 100 million more people.
What Is a Mental Illness Exactly?
A mental illness is a physical sickness of the brain that results in abnormalities in thinking, behaviour, energy, or emotion, making it difficult to cope with everyday life's responsibilities. The complex reasons for these diseases are being unravelled through research, which may involve genetics, brain chemistry, brain structure, trauma, and other medical situations, such as heart disease.
The two most prevalent mental health problems are as follows:
Disorders of Anxiety – Each year, more than 18% of adults suffer from an anxiety disorder, which may include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (panic attacks), generalised anxiety disorder, or particular phobias.
Mood Disorders - Mood disorders, such as bipolar depression, affect about 10% of individuals each year and are defined by difficulties with mood regulation.
Mental Health Awareness Is Critical
Each year, mental diseases impact 19% of the adult population, 46% of adolescents, and 13% of children. Individuals experiencing mental health difficulties may be family members, live next door, educate your children,
However, less than half of individuals affected receive treatment, frequently due to the stigma associated with mental illness. Untreated mental illness can result in increased medical costs, decreased academic and work performance, fewer employment possibilities, and an increased risk of suicide.
Yearly event of Mental Health Awareness Week that brings the entire world together to focus on the importance of discussing and achieving healthy mental health week. It's all about initiating talks about mental health and thinking about how our daily lives can affect our mental health.
May 10-16 Mental Health Awareness Week is scheduled; we're asking you to immerse yourself in the '5 Ways to Wellbeing' during the week while also reconnecting with nature.
Our Wellbeing programmes and initiatives are more popular than ever and are frequently now integrated into the daily operations of a business. There is substantial evidence demonstrating the link between workplace wellbeing and productivity. Corporations and organisations increasingly recognise the value of embedding health within the organisation, cultivating a culture of wellbeing, and improving their employees' physical and mental fitness.