Do you think that physical health is more important than mental health? Do you know how many people end their lives because of mental health disorders? Does World Mental Health Day really exist?
Some may think that health is limited to physical health alone, without mental health. Forgetting that we are human beings who first feel and then act, that is, we are creatures who rely heavily on our feelings and thoughts. Although physical wounds may heal and disappear, damage and psychological trauma accompany a person for a long time.
Mental health is a basic and important human right. The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, make their own decisions, learn and work well, and be active members of their community to which they can contribute. In addition, mental health does not mean only the absence of mental disorders. [1]
The matter is more complex than that, because the causes of diseases and disorders that affect mental health are numerous, including external factors such as social and economic conditions as well as genetic and biological factors. Mental health also greatly affects physical health. Therefore, a day was dedicated to reminding us of the importance of mental health around the world.
World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on October 10. and this celebration was first started in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been organizing a global campaign for World Health Day annually since 2013. The United Nations organizes activities and events during the month of October to promote the importance of mental health. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Make mental health a global priority for everyone”. [2]
The theme in 2021 was “Mental Health in an Unequal World”, and in 2020 was “Mental Health for All. Greater Investment – Greater Reach. Everyone, Everywhere”. [2]
– Close to one billion people suffer from some form of mental health disorder.
– More than 75% of people with mental illness receive no treatment for their condition at all in low- and middle-income countries.
– In general, countries spend on average only 2% of their health budget on mental health.
– Suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 15 and 29; every 40 seconds, an individual ends his life (that is, 800,000 people annually).
– Almost half of psychological problems begin by age 14, but most of them are not detected or treated most of the time. [4]
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused problems in many ways and created a major crisis for mental health; as it multiplied stress and depression and undermined the mental health of millions. Estimates put the rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. The pandemic was accompanied by the disruption of mental health services, which exacerbated these cases. [3]
The World Health Organization launched the “Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030”, which aims to improve mental health by strengthening effective leadership and governance and providing comprehensive and integrated community-based care.
WHO also released the “Global Report on Mental Health: Transforming Mental Health for All”. Which calls on all countries to accelerate the implementation of the Action Plan. According to the report, all countries can make great progress in improving the mental health of their populations by focusing on 3 “transformation paths”:
In addition to the attempts of organizations and governments to improve the available health care services, the individual, during his life and daily routine, can also strive to maintain his mental health. Some of these steps are:
1- Keep physically active: Doing any kind of exercise has many physical benefits in addition to improving your mood.
2- Have a balanced and healthy diet: such as eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, and many others. In addition to drinking adequate amounts of water.
3- Manage Stress: Persistent exposure to stress without any solution is very harmful to mental health. So, the problem should not be ignored and should be confronted as much as possible. For example: Take a short break when feeling stressed from school or work. Break the routine and do a new activity on the weekend.
4- Self-acceptance and positive thinking: Avoid comparing yourself to others, we are all different and special in our own way. Strive to build a good relationship with yourself and practice self-love.
5- Learn a new skill. Learning new skills gives self-confidence and creates a sense of accomplishment. [5]
6- Do things you are good at taking time to do something you love, no matter what promotes mental health.
In conclusion, we would like to remind you that there is no health without mental health. Public health is harmony between physical and mental health together. Therefore, we believe that protecting and maintaining mental health is very important. In our initiative, we seek to build a safe space for everyone in need, especially Syrian women, by providing psychological support and guidance. As well as empowering women and providing services that allow them to improve and develop, as this will positively affect their mental health. We also dedicate an article on women’s mental health every month; to raise awareness about important topics, such as depression associated with menopause.
For everyone with mental health issues. No matter if they are big or small. We would like to tell you that you are NOT alone, we are ALL here with you.
Also read: International Day of Peace.
References:
[1] WHO- Facts
[3] WHO- Campaigns
[4] UN- News