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World Mental Health Day 10th October 2011.

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Posted 10/7/2011 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All

Mental health conditions/disorders affect nearly 12 percent of the world’s population – about 450 million or one out of every four people around the world – will experience a mental illness that would benefit from diagnosis and treatment. WHO statistics for 2002 showed that 154 million people globally suffered from depression, which is a form of mental illness. According to WHO, mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which people realize their own potential, can cope with normal life stresses, can work productively, and can contribute to their community.

Mental health services lack human and financial resources in many countries, particularly low and middle income countries. More funding is needed to promote mental health to increase people’s awareness of the issue. In response to making mental health a global priority, World Health Day was first celebrated in 1992 as an initiative of the WFMH, which has members and contacts in more than 150 countries. Each year the UN, through WHO, actively participates in promoting this event.

It is important to spread the word so that the stigma which still surrounds mental health to be broken down. The more it is spoken about the more those barriers we face will be broken. I thought it would be good to share your experiences of how stigma has affected you??. I will look forward to reading members responses.

Take Care All

Hibee
Posted 10/7/2011 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Ben,

Awesome that you remembered the date and posted here in the forum.

May I suggest in recognition of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2011,  to celebrate the day and bring greater awareness to mental health issues each of us posts something on our Facebook Wall. 

My facebook post will be around the following information:

This year the theme is “Investing in Mental Health.” Financial and human resources allocated for mental health are inadequate especially in low resource countries.

Mental disorders affect nearly 12 percent of the world’s population—about 450 million or one out of every four people around the world will experience a mental illness that would benefit from diagnosis and treatment. The World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which people realize their own potential, can cope with normal life stresses, can work productively and can contribute to their community.

You can help by becoming more knowledgeable and empathetic about mental health issues. One way you can do that is to become a volunteer at Common Ground! For information on how you can volunteer at Common Ground, call 248-456-8150.

Thanks again Ben for posting this.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Posted 10/7/2011 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Great post! While I don't have a facebook page, I will continue to support those of us who struggle with mental health conditions!

As far as stigma or discrimination goes...I have only felt that from my husband (unfortunate and ironic, no?) I had to make an effort to educate him on just how common and 'normal' it is to have an anxiety disorder! We have an agreement that I will work hard to manage my issue, and he will work hard to understand/accept it:)

Everyone else that I have shared my story with is sympathetic, if unbelieving...I outwardly don't show signs of anxiety. I once had a panic attack duing a performance in front of an audience...so in some ways, I think that a lot of people didn't believe in the severity of my panic disorder when I was in the peak of it, but that is pretty common I think.

Anyway, here's to awareness and equality for all of those who deal with this issue. Thanks Ben for posting this!!! I was unaware of this special day, and you have done your part for sure by starting an important thread. Well done:)

S.C.
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