Not everyone buys into their mental health. Not everyone will be interested in sorting out their mental health, but where we may have been more proactive with our mental health, through Covid-19 we have changed, but we can still get back.
Depression and Suicide
Not everyone sees depression as a mental health issue, but it is one of the leading causes of mental disability. According to the WHO, suicide among 15-29-year-olds is the fourth leading cause of death, and who die prematurely as much as two decades early, although suicide doesn’t just affect those groups. Suicide touches all groups and families.
Investing in Mental Health
As someone who deals with a physical, mental and emotional disability, I am aware of how mental health can go up and down. Increased investment is necessary on all fronts, so that authorities can do their job without the added pressures and stress. Awareness and understanding in society around mental health is important.
The more understanding around mental health, the less stigma there will be. We should all start working together; it is not enough to turn a blind eye, because someone else's concern, isn't our concern, or to ignore mental health.
Equal Access to Mental Health Care
Efforts still need to be made so there is equal access to quality mental health care and treatments, for research to improve existing treatments for mental disorders, while improving existing treatment. Mental health is a lottery and in Covid-19 it's hit hard.
If you have money, you can have access to mental health, but without it you can wait months or even years, for access to the same treatment. The gap between those with access to care and those needed caring is like night and day. Also, effective treatment remains extremely low.
The WHO
The WHO launched the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (2019-2023). A universal Health Coverage for Mental Health to ensure access, quality, and affordable care, for 100 million more people in 12 priority countries. WHO also launched the World Mental Health Report: Transforming Mental health for All, in 2022. (Source: https://www.who.int)
Giving up on mental health is giving up on yourself. We all get one crack at life. We should be working on getting mental health back on track, staving off illness and turning life around.
