Millions of people are confronted with the reality of living with a mental illness every year. Mentally ill people may be in your family, live next door, teach your children, work in the next cubicle, or sit in the same church seat as you.
Only half of those affected, however, receive treatment, owing to the stigma associated with mental illness. Untreated mental illness can lead to higher medical costs, lower academic and work performance, fewer job possibilities, and an increased risk of suicide.
Despite the fact that public perceptions of mental illness have improved in recent decades, studies show that stigma against mental illness remains strong, owing in part to media stereotypes and a lack of education, and that people attach negative stigmas to mental health conditions at a much higher rate than they do to other diseases and disabilities such as cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
Respect and Acceptance
Individuals who are treated with respect and acceptance are better able to cope with their disease. For someone suffering from mental illness, having people perceive you as an individual rather than as an illness can make all the difference.
Advocate
Advocating for these persons within our spheres of influence ensures that they have the same rights and opportunities as other members of your church, school, and community.
Learn
Learning more about mental health allows us to better support those in our family and communities who are affected.
In Late 2019, WHO established the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (2019-2023): Universal Health Coverage for Mental Health, which aims to provide 100 million additional people in 12 priority countries with access to high-quality, affordable mental health care.
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