What does WHO say about mental health?
The WHO constitution establishes that health is the complete physical, mental, and social well-being of an individual.
One crucial implication of this statement is that mental health is a significant aspect that cannot be disregarded when considering a person’s well _being.
According to the standard definition provided by the WHO, mental health is not solely defined as the absence of mental disorders but rather as a state of overall well-being in which an individual recognizes his or her own abilities, can effectively cope with normal life stressors and contribute positively to society.
Statistics Report
Statistics report reveals that approximately 8 million deaths each year are attributed to mental health disorders and around 970 million people worldwide struggle with identifiable mental Illness.
Depression alone affects over 300 million individuals globally, with very few receiving adequate treatment. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15_29.
Why is Mental Health overlooked?
Given the adage “health is wealth” one may often wonder why mental health is overlooked. More than half of individuals experiencing mental health crises do not receive the necessary care they require.
Mental disorders are burdened with various stereotypes such as the mistaken belief that they indicate weakness in those who suffer from them. Society often views individuals with mental health disorders as threats and the media often perpetuates this perception by linking mental illness to violence and harm.
Some individuals believe that mental disorders are exaggerated and undeserving of attention, dismissing them as mere attempts to seek attention. However neglecting mental health poses numerous risks, it becomes a breeding ground for various mental disorders which can lead to poor academic development, substance abuse resulting in severe physical illnesses including terminal diseases, financial difficulties, unemployment and other challenges
How do we fix this?
Normalizing discussions about mental health can help combat the stigma surrounding it.
Many Nonprofit organizations have responded to this urgent call and are actively raising awareness and promoting sensitivity towards mental health issues.
All these efforts aim to address the prevalence of mental disorders.
Mental health significantly impacts our lives, will power, thought process, emotions and our relationships, etc.
Ignoring these issues would be highly detrimental both to individuals and society as a whole, it’s not a call directed at one person alone but a call that encompasses everyone.
Instead of asking “why mental health?” The actual question should be “why not mental health?”.
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