WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2023
Theme: Mental health is a universal human right.
All over the world, mental health needs are high, but responses are insufficient and inadequate. In recent years, there has been increasing awareness of the important role mental health plays in achieving global development goals, as is noticeable by the inclusion of mental health in the Sustainable Development Goals. Depression is one of the leading causes of mental disability.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among people ages 15–29. People with severe mental health conditions die prematurely, as much as two decades early, due to preventable physical conditions.
Despite progress in some countries, people with mental health conditions often experience severe human rights violations, discrimination, and stigma. Many mental health conditions can be effectively treated at relatively low cost, yet the space between people needing care and those with access to care remains noticeable.
Effective treatment coverage for people with any mental disability remains extremely low. Increased investment is required on all fronts for mental health awareness to increase understanding and reduce stigma, for efforts to improve access to quality mental health care and effective treatments, and for research to identify new treatments and improve existing treatments for all mental disorders.
The government should create more mental health facilities and train and retrain more medical practitioners to improve the mental health status of our citizens. As citizens of Nigeria, we should inculcate the spirit of love, care, and oneness amongst ourselves.
Also Read: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE OLDER PERSONS: Dr Chuks calls for special needs for older persons
The future looks forward to a healthy environment, and we must join hands to create one.
DEPRESSION IS REAL, AND DO NOT BE THE REASON FOR ANOTHER PERSON’S DEPRESSIVE STATE.
Let love continue to lead daily. God bless Africa! God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Dr Chuks is from Abia State. He is a distinguished graduate of the University of Port Harcourt Medical School, and currently serves as a Medical Officer at the Government House Clinic located in Asaba, Delta State. You can contact him for both online and physical consultations.
