Time to make the neglected area of mental health a ‘global priority’, urges Guterres |
In his message marking World Mental Health Day, the UN chief said the “profound” social and economic repercussions stemming from that neglect, explaining that some countries have only two mental health workers for every 100,000 people.
Anxiety and depression also take a heavy toll, costing the global economy an estimated $1 trillion per year.
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“We must strengthen the capacity of health services to provide quality care to those in need, especially young people,” explained the top UN official, encouraging community-based services and integrating mental health support into health expansion and social care.
“Investing in mental health means investing in healthy and thriving communities.”
Discrimination and discrimination, which hinder social inclusion, must also be addressed along with breaking down the barriers that stop people from seeking care and support.
“And we must prevent the underlying causes of mental health conditionsincluding violence and abuse,” he continued, assuring that the UN is committed to working with partners to promote mental health.
Mr. Guterres emphasized the importance of making mental health a “global priority” and called for urgent action to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to quality mental health care.
The impact of COVID
As COVID continues to take its toll, the World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending that everyone reconnect and re-do efforts to protect and improve mental health.
Even before the pandemic, in 2019, an estimated one in eight people worldwide was living with a mental disorder.
However, COVID has caused a global mental health crisis, causing short and long term stressors and compromising the mental health of millions.
During the first year of the pandemic, the WHO estimated a surgery of more than 25 per cent in both anxiety and depression-related disorders.
At the same time, it has hindered mental health services and widened the treatment gap, with skills and funding in short supply, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a 25 per cent increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide.
Global recessions
And growing social and economic inequalities, protracted conflicts, violence, and public health emergencies are affecting public well-being.
During 2021, an astonishing 84 million people were displaced.
“We must deepen the value and commitment we give to mental health as individuals, communities and governments and match that value with more commitment, commitment and investment by all stakeholders, in all sectors,” WHO emphasized.
“We must strengthen mental health so that the full spectrum of mental health needs is met through a community-based network of accessible, affordable and quality services and supports”.
World Cup Promotion
To promote mental health and well-being, including through physical activity and sport, the WHO and the Government of Qatar have launched an exciting new initiative linked to the FIFA World Cup which starts next month, they announced on Monday.
Thirty-two so-called “Friendly Seats” – one for each of the countries participating in the world football festival – were built and installed around prominent locations in Doha, including one for each of the regions of several stadiums.
The project is aligned with common goals and ongoing campaigns, including the FIFA-WHO #REACHOUT campaign; “Are you okay?” project of Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health; and his own Friendship Partnership project, originated in Zimbabwe and supported by the WHO.
“Sitting is a simple yet powerful vehicle for promoting mental health, from comfortable chairs where people gather to football stadiums where players and staff watch their teams play for the joy and promise of sport and success. ,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
He described it as “a powerful memory…[that] physical health is precious and common to all people and nations, and how, through sports, people can reach out to others, as fellow human beings, in a spirit of solidarity and support.”
