Mental health is not a destination but a journey.
Clifford Mohan Pai GPHR, PCC
Executive Director @ Christ University, Bangalore | Certified Independent Director | HR Advisor | Coach & Mentor | Board Member Angel Investor
One of the silver linings of the pandemic is the openness with which we all have accepted and acknowledged the state of mental health and its repercussions on individuals. While corporates and public health agencies are doing their bit, I believe that the conversation has just begun especially when you evaluate the preparedness and ability to provide mental health services.
Alarming realities
Globally, the majority of those who need mental health care worldwide lack access to?high-quality mental health services. On top of that, these discussions were earlier brushed under the carpet as there was a stigma attached to it and a lack of research capacity for implementation and policy change thus widening the mental health treatment gap.
WHO interpretation of mental health
The World Health Organization (WHO)?conceptualizes mental health?as a “state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community”. Surprisingly when you look at the numbers, Europe has the highest, led by?Monaco, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands, each with between 20 and 40 psychiatrists per 100,000 people. The U.S. and Canada have about 13 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, according to WHO. Additionally, the WHO's Mental Health Atlas reports that the median number of mental health workers globally is 9 per 100,000 population with extreme variation between low-income and high-income countries.
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?Collaborate to cry out aloud
It's difficult to assess the state of mental health of every individual. The only way to know and extend support is when the individual reaches out. More importantly, it takes courage to ask for help as some people interpret mental health problems as a sign of weakness or flaw, rather than real, diagnosable, and more importantly treatable concerns that get corrected with the right medical attention at the right time.?
The only way ahead I see is firstly ensuring awareness, education, and training so that we accept that there are concerns and Mental Health is important to address. Secondly, not ignoring any segment, young people may not have an issue - Nah! that's not the approach. Every single instance has to be investigated and resources provided/help given in a confidential manner. Thirdly, realize that mental health eventually has an impact on physical health.
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To each one out there - don't struggle in silence, reach out! You will be surprised.?
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3 年Appreciate you sharing this! There is always hope even when your brain cells tell you there isn't.
Company Director | Mental Health Solutions | Health and Safety Consultancy | Physchological Safety | Health, Safety and Mental Health Training
3 年Well said, however it’s not simply about dealing with our people once they experience mental health impacts. Businesses have a legal and moral responsibility to identify workplace stressors and remove, prevent or minimise the impacts
Thank you for sharing this and helping to remove any stigma around the term itself. With a more trusting awareness of oneself, we can seek the help we need when we need it. Mind, body, emotions, spirit - it’s all connected and there’s so much support out there in so many forms.