World 'Mental Health Day' To Be Observed Tomorrow

Like other parts of the globe, World Mental Health Day will be observed in Pakistan on October 10 (tomorrow) with a renewed pledge to continue efforts for raising awareness in the people about the precautionary measures and treatment of mentally deranged patients so that they could lead normal life.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :Like other parts of the globe, World Mental Health Day will be observed in Pakistan on October 10 (tomorrow) with a renewed pledge to continue efforts for raising awareness in the people about the precautionary measures and treatment of mentally deranged patients so that they could lead normal life.

Mental disorders affect nearly 12 percent of the world's population about 450 million or one out of every four people around the world will experience a mental illness that would benefit from diagnosis and treatment.

WHO statistics for 2002 showed that 154 million people globally suffered from depression, which is a form of mental illness. According to WHO, mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which people realize their own potential, can cope with normal life stresses, can work productively, and can contribute to their community.

Mental health services lack human and financial resources in many countries, particularly low and middle income countries.

More funding is needed to promote mental health to increase people's awareness of the issue. In response to making mental health a global priority, World Health Day was first celebrated in 1992 as an initiative of the WFMH, which has members and contacts in more than 150 countries.

Each year the UN, through WHO, actively participates in promoting this event.

The overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

World Mental Health Day was observed for the first time on 10 October 1992. It was started as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental Health by the then Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter.

Every year one adult in four, along with one child in ten, will have a mental health issue. These conditions can profoundly affect literally millions of lives, affecting the capability of these individuals to make it through the day, to sustain relationships, and to maintain work.

The best way to deal with this stigma is through facts and a better understanding of mental health problems. From identifying the causes, pinpointing solutions, and ultimately recognizing that we are really dealing with medical issues.

This year's theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is "Young people and mental health in a changing world".