International Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day was instituted in 1992 by the World Mental Health Federation. This date aims to draw public attention to the issue of global mental health, and to identify it as a cause common to all people, overcoming national, cultural, political or socioeconomic barriers. In addition, combating prejudice and stigma related to mental disorders are also part of the day.

Problems related to mental health are considered by WHO (World Health Organization) a priority due to the large number of days of disability that mental disorder can cause. In Brazil, mental and behavioral disorders are the third leading cause of incapacity for work, corresponding to 9% of the grant of sickness benefit and disability retirement.

This year, World Mental Health Day is celebrated at a time when our lives have been significantly altered as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The past few months have brought numerous challenges: for health professionals; for students; for workers; for people in a situation of social vulnerability; and for people with mental health conditions, many even more socially isolated than before. Not to mention the pain of losing a loved one, sometimes without being able to say goodbye.

A survey carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross and released recently, indicated that more than half of the people consulted (51%) reported a negative impact on their mental health due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The study points out that the outbreak of the new coronavirus "has aggravated existing mental illnesses, spawned new illnesses and further limited access to mental health services".

The World Mental Health Day campaign will offer opportunities (mainly virtual due to the continuing pandemic) for all of us to do something that affirms life: as individuals, take concrete actions in support of our own mental health and support friends and family who are struggling; as employers, take steps to implement employee welfare programs; and as governments, commit to establishing or expanding mental health services.

Text written by psychologist Gabriela Captain of the CEFI Cog team for the International Mental Health Day