This year’s theme for World mental health day is ‘Making Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority. Why should we make it a global priority?
While you may or may not have got contacted covid 19 infection, you are more likely to have faced mental health issues in the recent past. With the growing disrupted healthcare system, job burnout, suicide rates, marital issues, climate change, crime, abuse, physical health conditions, and political issues, I can definitely see how one’s mental well-being can be affected. With an increased global prevalence of mental health conditions to about 50 % post-pandemic, it’s a silent pandemic in itself. While most of us managed to get treatment for covid 19, we continue to ignore mental health conditions. Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier. While affordability is a roadblock for a few, accessibility is for others.
World Mental Health Day 2022: Date, History and Importance
Here are a few ways to make mental well-being a global priority for all:
- By increasing awareness campaigns through broadcast messages, short films, ads, flyers, emails, internet articles, etc,
- By encouraging conversations, open dialogue regarding mental well-being among social circles,
- By supporting colleagues with mental health conditions at your workplace,
- By teaching effective coping strategies to reduce job burnout,
- By having a visiting psychiatrist for various organizations to identify and help in the early stages,
- By conducting active counseling services available for those needed at your place of education or work,
- By increasing suicide helplines for those in need,
- By sensitizing children to mental health through storytelling/role play,
- Most importantly, by promoting healthy lifestyle modifications like a healthy diet, regular exercises, limited screen time, adapting a relaxing hobby, and
- By establishing more support groups.
