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MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health
According to the World Health Organization, mental health conditions are increasing worldwide. WHO noted in a 2022 report that there has been a 13 percent global increase in mental health conditions, precipitated by COVID 19 pandemic and other factors. Depression and anxiety went up by more than 25 % during the first year of the pandemic, adding to the more than one billion people living with mental health disorders. Today, mental health needs are high but response to mental health has been insufficient and inadequate.
WHO and other global agencies stress the urgent need to transform mental health throughout the world through the creation of awareness raising programs and actionable plans that change policies and create access to care and treatment. But transforming mental health requires individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to work together across all sectors of societies.
Mental health needs have become a human rights issue and as such have been added to the United Nations global sustainable development goals. Including mental health in sustainable development goals for 2030 requires all countries to strive together to reach the three main goals for mental health:
1. Deepen value and commitment. “Give to mental health as individuals,
communities and governments; and match that value with more commitment, engagement and investment by all stakeholders, across all sectors.”
2. Reshape environments. “Reshape the physical, social and economic characteristics of environments– in homes, schools, workplaces and the wider community – to better protect mental health and prevent mental health conditions.”
3. Strengthen mental health care. “Strengthen mental health care so that the full spectrum of mental health needs is met through a community-based network of accessible, affordable and quality services and support.”
(Source: https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/world-mental-health-report)
Disaster Mental Health
One of the factors that increase mental health needs is natural disasters. Despite the fact that most humans are resilient, it takes a long time to recover from natural disasters. When all of one’s life has been traumatically upheaved, physically, emotionally, mentally, economically through loss of life, loss of possessions, loss of livelihood, the toll on human capacity is stretched beyond the ability to cope. With predictions for more natural disasters due to climate change, it is imperative that societies address disaster mental health needs of survivors, not only in the short term but long after the disaster.
Disaster mental health is an underserved area. Many countries have not addressed the mental health needs of its citizens after a natural disaster. Lack of awareness of disaster mental health has resulted in long term suffering for survivors. Most people are aware of the socio-economic impact of natural disasters but not many are knowledgeable about the mental state of survivors and their struggles to get help.
Governments and non-profit organizations mostly focus on socio-economic issues and their response has made us more aware of these needs. Recently, more studies are pointing out the need to raise our awareness of the psychological and psychosocial dimensions of disasters, particularly among the most vulnerable members of society. Specifically, there is a need to raise awareness of the long term impact of trauma on mental health and well-being post natural disaster.
According to climate change studies, there will be an increase in natural disasters. Therefore, there is an urgent need to address this area of need. Raising awareness of long term challenges of mental health in recovery after devastating natural disasters focuses our attention on issues of sustainability for the environment and humans. Recent hurricanes in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Houston, Texas, and Florida emphasize the urgency of this issue.
Disaster mental health requires a multisectoral approach, individuals, communities, organizations, and governments must work together to help those in need get access to mental health care and treatment in the short and the long term. Mental health needs are prevalent long after disasters.
The goal of the D6 Project is to raise awareness of these issues and sensitize audiences to the emotional, physical, and mental pain of surviving and rebuilding after natural disasters, including the impact of Covid 19 on recovery efforts.
DISCLAIMER
This is a film production. We are not mental health experts. Please contact Bahamas Psychological Association for assistance with mental illness or concerns.