World Mental Health Day
In her statement on World Mental Health Day, which has the theme "Mental Health is a Universal Human Right" for the year 2023, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, calls for a concerted effort by WHO, Member States, and partners to prioritize mental health within a human-rights based framework. Traditionally, the focus of human rights has revolved around basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare. However, Dr. Khetrapal Singh emphasizes that mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being. Recognizing mental health as a universal human right underscores its direct impact on one's quality of life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of well-being where individuals realize their abilities, handle life's stresses, work productively, and contribute to their communities. It's not just the absence of mental disorders but also a positive emotional and mental well-being, aligning with the broader notion of human rights as freedoms to lead fulfilling lives. This perspective asserts that every individual, irrespective of their location, occupation, or identity, has the right to attain the highest level of mental well-being. This includes protection from mental health risks, easy access to high-quality mental health care, and participation in their community. Mental health intersects with various aspects of life such as education, employment, housing, and social participation. Good mental health enhances an individual's ability to exercise other rights like education and work, enabling meaningful engagement in society. To establish mental health as a universal human right, society needs to transform attitudes and government policies. It's imperative to take measures to protect populations from mental health risks related to issues like climate change, humanitarian crises, inequity, and poverty. Raising awareness and destigmatizing mental health problems is essential, as discrimination and stigma often deter people from seeking help. Moreover, mental health services should be accessible to all, regardless of their socioeconomic status or location. Despite its significance, mental health conditions affect one in seven people in the WHO South-East Asia Region. These conditions, along with self-harm, account for a significant portion of years lived with disability. Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common conditions in the region. The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, in collaboration with partners, is committed to promoting and protecting mental health. Right-oriented services are central to the Paro Declaration, adopted by Member States in 2022, and are a key principle in the newly launched WHO Mental Health Action Plan for the WHO South-East Asia Region for 2023-2030. Efforts are underway to expand community-based mental health services in alignment with human rights standards, including the shift away from psychiatric hospitals. Several Member States have updated their mental health policies to incorporate human rights principles, and progress has been made in providing access to mental health services through primary care and community-based initiatives. WHO will continue to support countries in strengthening these services. In 2023, WHO SEARO published an interactive dashboard with regional and country-specific epidemiological data to better monitor the mental health situation in the region. Priority is given to accelerate and strengthen efforts to integrate human rights and mental health. This includes supporting countries in transitioning away from psychiatric hospitals and involving individuals with lived experience of mental health conditions, their families, and caregivers in shaping mental health and social care programs. In conclusion, mental health is undeniably a universal human right, as essential as the right to physical health, and it deserves equal attention and protection.
