World Mental Health and Psychology in the Community
Mental Health problems world-wide have a costly, damaging impact on the lives of individuals concerned, their families and society. In the UK during 1994, National Health Service treatment of mental health problems cost Β£2384 million. There were 3100 suicides in England alone, and the rates of suicide in young people aged 15Β±24 rose by 43% from 1984 to 1993. The World Mental Health Day is an attempt to raise some of the challenging issues concerning Agenda 2000 (Health for All).
World Mental Health is very important across the globe. For this, 10 October 1996 has been a focus in which it is important to create and stimulate cooperation between groups working in mental health around the world. More specifically, the psychological services in Westwood Hospital, Beverley, Yorkshire, UK have been very active in the community. The aims of the day are to highlight commitment of psychology to the community.
During the day mental health has been stressed to play a major role in ensuring that distressed, marginalized people and communities are not overlooked. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness that mental health is a human issue that needs to be talked about, not just at the individual level but also in the international arena, by bringing social change, challenging damaging stereotypes, eliminating prejudice, and promoting cooperation and social justice. We aim to raise awareness that mental health is an issue that concerns everyone. The only way to promote greater understanding of mental health issues is to challenge damaging stereotypes and reduce stigma through mandatory educational problems.
Seeking help and advice for one's problems is to be encouraged in the community. Ignorance about psychological problems needs to be discussed in the hope that people will feel less stigmatized and worried about seeking help.
There are positive steps that everyone can take to improve their mental health and that of others by addressing: