World Mental Health Day

Every October 10th, World Mental Health day is celebrated.  First appearing in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, 2022 will be the 39th celebration with the theme: “Make mental health for all a global priority.”  The goal is to raise awareness of mental health issues to allow people to focus more on mental health.

Depending on the country, this holiday may be celebrated from as short as a day to as long as a month.  Originally launched in America in 1949 for educational purposes, we have celebrated mental health week since the first in 1992. The once taboo topic has now been openly discussed by Americans about mental illnesses and mental health. It has grown every year with more countries accepting to celebrate and educate their public.

Up until just years ago, mental health issues were not adequately addressed or treated. In the past, disorders, we know as depression, PTSD, and bipolar were called hysteria, shell shock, psychosis, and demonic possession. In the Middle Ages, mentally ill patients were looked down upon and became outcasts, and others viewed them as demonically possessed. They tried to cure these “demonic possessions” with exorcisms, malnutrition, strange medications, and procedures by creating holes in their skull. As time went on, less invasive procedures were used. In the 19th and 20th centuries, they began to use psychiatric hospitals and insane asylums. Later, doctors performed surgeries on people, the procedure was called a “lobotomy”, which was developed by severing nerves connected to the brain’s prefrontal cortex. It was used to “cure” patients with schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder, along with other mental illnesses. The procedure, ECT, also emerged (electroconvulsive therapy), and is still being used today.

Throughout the 20th century, different organizations were founded that helped people and eventually it became “Mental Health America”.  It worked to create clinics that aimed at prevention and treatment. Our congress started passing acts in order to protect those with mental health issues.

It is estimated that 45% of people with a clinical-level mental problem do not seek professional help in the United States. Other countries have similar and even higher percentages: Australia: 45%, Canada:47%, South Africa: 61%, Nigeria: 81%.

Many organizations are working to combat these barriers. It can begin by educating their public on the resources they have which can help more people seek help. Mental health has a negative impact on homelessness, poverty, employment, safety, and the economy.

What are the signs one can look for that can lead to seeking mental health aid? It can be with the feeling of social isolation and loneliness. It can also take a toll on the person’s physical health with people less physically active. There are studies that suggest greater levels of mental health correlate with higher levels of education, stress, and work. Youth who are depressed are more likely to use drugs and worse it can even lead to suicide. We may be able to prevent this by better insurance coverage for mental health treatment.

What can each of us begin to do? A self-examination of our own life and an open discussion with our doctor to take care of your own mental health is a good start. We can sleep more, eat healthier, exercise, and talk to people more about our feelings. By Making self-care a priority, we can become more self-aware and then we can be able to listen and care for others without judgment. We can encourage that person to get help with mental health resources or mention it to a school counselor, teacher, or parent.

To find our more about this topic please look at https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/ , a nonprofit dedicated to providing help to individuals.