Monica P. Band’s Post

The Stark Reality of Mental Health Accessibility: A Global Perspective Mental health care is an essential service, yet it remains out of reach for millions worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 75% of people with mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries receive no treatment. This statistic is alarming but not surprising. Factors such as the scarcity of mental health professionals, financial barriers, and the stigma associated with seeking help contribute to this crisis. In high-income countries, where resources are more abundant, the situation is still far from ideal. Long waiting times, high costs, and the limited availability of specialised care mean that even those who seek help may not receive it in a timely or effective manner. #MentalHealthAccessibility #GlobalHealth #MentalHealthCrisis #HealthcareInequality #MentalHealthAwareness

Everyone deserves access to mental health care, but BIPOC individuals are less likely to receive the care they need due to inequity, stigma, and other systemic factors. Check out this list of resources and organizations working to make quality mental health care more accessible for BIPOC and marginalized communities: https://lnkd.in/d-uwQAtX #BIPOCmentalhealthmonth

There are some astonishing numbers in the latest report from the National Mental Health Commission. It finds 46% of young women faced clinically significant mental health problems in a 12 month period (up from 29% in 2007). Numbers for young men are now 32% in a 12 month period (up from 23% in 2007). For gender diverse young people, the call to action is even stronger. The report is here and includes discussion of possible CoVid factors on the numbers: https://lnkd.in/g_72CGtD

Poor mental health left unaddressed costs the UK economy at least £118 billion a year. The Mental Health Foundation and London School of Economics March 2022. Addressing prevention solutions by introducing empowering training such as mental health first aid can be an extremely effective part of organisational culture change and reduces both personal and financial costs. Take a minute to see what the costs could be to your business by using the See Me cost calculator.

“How are you?” On the surface, it’s such a simple question—and it usually gets a simple answer. For those experiencing a mental health concern, the answer may not be simple. What they say and how they feel can be very different things. They hold back the truth for fear of judgment. Reducing this fear of judgment is the goal of the Saying, Not Saying campaign from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. In revealing the things left unsaid when answering “how are you?”, this campaign raises awareness of some signs of a mental health concern. This awareness and common understanding of mental health is the first step toward building supportive spaces where people feel they can be honest when answering “how are you?”. Share information about the Saying, Not Saying campaign in your community. Find campaign materials here: https://lnkd.in/dg-dAxjx #SayingNotSayingWI #MentalHealthMatters

Demand is at an all time high - across Ireland as well as the UK. But we're not helping ourselves re the the path to qualification as a Psychologist in Ireland, which remains long, arduous, unstructured, unpredicable - and favours people from middle class and upper social backgrounds with - the financial means to work in full time clinical placements for free or *very* little pay (if they're lucky) - who can afford to fork out for extremely costly postgraduate courses in the region of 10k per annum while our European counterparts pay 2k - and then are tasked to work in extremely challenging scenarios in a profession that is still wholly unregulated when it comes to people claiming the title of 'psychologist'. So, what we really need is a new model for inclusivity regarding access - for people interested in the profession from all backgrounds, and who are as diverse and varied as the society we hope to support and serve. With structures put in place to support all future psychologists to progress and achieve their potential in an equitable manner - government support is an imperative to enable it The Psychological Society of Ireland The British Psychological Society

Did you know that more than 1 in 5 women in the US experienced a mental health condition in the past year? This Women’s Health Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, join the Office on Women’s Health as they share tips to prioritize physical and mental health: https://ow.ly/5mGp50RFe1O

Today for Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s bring urgent attention to men’s mental health, a vital issue often hidden behind a veil of stigma and silence. Shockingly, in the UK, men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide, with many cases linked to the lack of open discussions around mental health. Furthermore, only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men, indicating a significant gap in seeking and receiving help. These statistics underscore a crisis that demands our immediate attention and action. It’s time to break the silence and initiate powerful, open discussions about mental health. Creating spaces where men feel safe to express their struggles is crucial in breaking the barriers to mental health care. By encouraging discussions among friends, brothers, fathers, and sons, and ensuring they are heard, we can shift attitudes and underline that mental health is a critical issue for everyone. Muscle Mind Wellness #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #MensMentalHealth #BreakTheSilence #ItsOkayToTalk #MentalHealthMatters #StopMaleSuicide

Mental Health Act reform must be built on the foundation of human rights principles, with a focus on empowering individuals with maximised autonomy and minimal restrictions in services. By adopting a human rights-based approach to mental health care, personalised treatment can be provided to cater to the unique experiences and identities of each individual. This approach, in turn, can ensure that treatment has a positive therapeutic impact. To achieve this, it is essential to recognise and address the impact of power imbalances and paternalism in the system. It is worth noting that the current legislation has failed to address the inequalities faced by many individuals receiving treatment under the MHA. Therefore, it is crucial to involve people with lived experience in the reform process to ensure that the reform is co-produced effectively, leading to a more equitable and just system.

🌟 #EuropeanMentalHealthWeek started today 🧠 All Policies for a Healthy Europe wholeheartedly stands by the cause of the European Mental Health Week and Mental Health Europe to spread awareness about mental health and co-create it together 💪 This approach aligns with our recommendation to place #mentalhealth at the 💜 of our proposed Well-being and Literacy Strategy for the next 🇪🇺 mandate - a part of our mission to make #health and #wellbeing a priority within all policy areas 🏛️🏛️ Want to know more about our views on mental health - and how we can incorporate it into policymaking? 👉 https://lnkd.in/dKRmGBKd