World Mental Health Day

                World Mental Health Day -10 October

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.

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.

The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, is

"Dignity in mental health".

WHO will be raising awareness of what can be done to ensure that people with mental health conditions can continue to live with dignity.

Dignity refers to an individual’s inherent value and worth and is strongly linked to respect, recognition, self-worth and the possibility to make choices.

Being able to live a life with dignity stems from the respect of basic human rights including:

• freedom from violence and abuse;
• freedom from discrimination;
• autonomy and self-determination;
• inclusion in community life; and
• participation in policy-making

“So it’s a double-edged sword when you’ve got mental health problems.
You’re labelled.
At home you’ve got a label, and you’re labelled in the system, so there’s not a great deal of dignity afforded to you.”

In the community we need to:

• support people with mental health conditions - to participate in community life, and acknowledge the value of their contribution;

• respect their autonomy to make decisions for themselves, including about their living arrangements and personal and financial matters;

• ensure their access to employment, education, housing, social support and other opportunities.