New Delhi: Every year on October 10, World Mental Health day is observed. In 1992, the World Federation for Mental Health observed the day for the first time. Needless to say, the objective behind observing this day is to raise awareness about mental health concerns and mobilise support for mental health. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) official website stated,
The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to discuss their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
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Significance
The main objectives of World Mental Health Day are to raise public awareness of mental health concerns around the world and to motivate people to support mental health. The day makes sure that the topic of mental health is brought up and continues to be on people’s minds. The day offers an opportunity for mental health care professionals to exchange ideas and discover new strategies for ensuring that mental health treatment is available to everyone worldwide.
History
A non-governmental organisation called the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) was established in 1948. On October 10, 1992, Richard Hunter, who was the deputy secretary general of the WFMH at the time, declared the first World Mental Health Day. Every year since 1994, a unique theme has been chosen for the international celebration.
2022 Theme
‘Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority’ is the theme for World Mental Health Day 2022.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, one in eight people globally experienced mental health problems. But there wasn’t enough financial and infrastructural support for mental health.
The pandemic raised mental stress across the globe.
More than 7 lakh individuals commit suicide each year as a result of stress or depression, according to the WHO. On World Mental Health Day, it is highlighted how stigma and discrimination harm individuals who are afflicted. It advocates for social inclusion and everyone’s entitlement to high-quality medical treatment.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
