Mental Health in an Unequal World - together we can make a difference

Today is World Mental Health Day - and the theme for this year is "Mental Health in an Unequal World - together we can make a difference"

I really do hope this theme awakens people to the need to unite against a common enemy, unfortunately, from what I’ve seen recently, we still have some work to do!

 Over the past 18 months the world has been grappling with the impact of an invisible biological adversary, COVID-19.

Common-sense would suggest that by combining our efforts, we would be stronger and able to overcome our opponent faster. This was a time for us all to forget what makes us different and appreciate our commonalities to unite under a common agenda.

 Unfortunately, throughout the past 18 months again and again we are surfacing ongoing inequalities due to race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity. Such inequalities are not only unjust, but have an impact on people’s mental health which adds further to the injustice they are suffering.

 A study by the IFS found that mental health in the UK has worsened by an average of 8.1% across groups compared to pre-pandemic trajectories.

The UCL COVID-19 social study found that levels of anxiety and depression correlated with the severity of lockdown measures. However, these remained highest among young people, those with lower household income, people with a diagnosed mental illness, people living with children, and people living in urban areas.

Unfortunately, the inequalities do not stop there, Prof Garbriel Ivbijaro MBE JP, WFMH Secretary, General states in the wmhd2021_educationa-material

"Across the world, far too few people have access to quality mental health services. In high-income countries, nearly 75% of people with depression report not receiving adequate care. In low- and middle-income countries, more than 75% of people with mental health conditions receive no treatment at all for their condition"

Unless we start working together, such inequalities in access to support and provisions will continue to get wider. the time to act is now!

How can one help?

Mental Health is complex, takes many forms with differing levels of severity. The key thing to remember is that we are not expected to become scholars in the area of mental health but by raising our own awareness and that of others on the topic we can reduce the stigma attached to it. By incorporating small changes to your day to day interactions we can support the mental health of others and our own.

 Below I have listed several resources which might be helpful

World Health Organisation

World Federation of Mental Health  

wmhd2021_educationa-material

Mental Health in the workplace

The anxiety that comes from being treated like an outsider

The cure for burnout

How to support a friend or family

For Family and friends