World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
The World Health Organixation (WHO) at its website says: “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.
“Thousands of people with mental health conditions around the world are deprived of their human rights. They are not only discriminated against, stigmatised and marginalised but are also subject to emotional and physical abuse in both mental health facilities and the community. Poor quality care due to a lack of qualified health professionals and dilapidated facilities leads to further violations.”
The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, observed tomorrow, is “Dignity in mental health”. This year, WHO will be raising awareness of what can be done to ensure that people with mental health conditions can continue to live with dignity, through human rights oriented policy and law, training of health professionals, respect for informed consent to treatment, inclusion in decision-making processes, and public information campaigns.
In Montserrat one report states that a plan that will ensure that everyone living with a mental condition on Montserrat is treated with dignity and respect is to be launched during the week.
There is reportedly a Mental Health Policy and Plan to be revealed as part of activities marking World Mental Health Day. The plan is to be launched at the Montserrat Cultural Center on Tuesday.
A walk from the Oriole Villa in St. John’s to the Brades Arts and Education Center starting at 6.00 a.m. This year’s celebration is themed “Dignity in Mental Health” according to the World Federation for Mental Health incorporating dignity into an approach to Mental Health issues is fundamental to dealing with stigma and discrimination.
We were uniformed but reportedly there was scheduled to be a Mentai Health Fair on Wednesday October 7; on Thursday the October 8; school presentations and today, on Friday, October 9, the Governor’s proclamation and radio message and while Saturday October 10 culminating the week of activities, the week a walk for mental health.
