Mental health in an unequal woorld, #WorldMentalHealthDay2021
‘The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health.
The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.’
This year’s theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is:
‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’.
‘This theme was chosen by a global vote, with the very wealthy becoming wealthier, and the number of people living in poverty still far too high.
2020 highlighted inequalities due to race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, and the lack of respect for human rights in many countries, including for people living with mental health conditions. Such inequalities have an impact on people’s mental health.
This theme, chosen for 2021, will highlight that access to mental health services remains unequal, with between 75% to 95% of people with mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries unable to access mental health services at all, and access in high income countries is not much better.
Lack of investment in mental health disproportionate to the overall health budget contributes to the mental health treatment gap. ”
“The stigma and discrimination experienced by people who experience mental ill health not only affects that persons physical and mental health, stigma also affects their educational opportunities, current and future earning and job prospects, and also affects their families and loved ones.
This inequality needs to be addressed because it should not be allowed to continue. We all have a role to play to address these disparities and ensure that people with lived experience of mental health are fully integrated in all aspects of life.”
“The 2021 World Mental Health Day campaign ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’ will enable us to focus on the issues that perpetuate mental health inequality locally and globally.
We want to support civil societies to play an active role in tackling inequality in their local areas. We want to encourage researchers to share what they know about mental health inequality including practical ideas about how to tackle this.”
Read the Key Messages for #WorldMentalHealthDay2021 here.
So, what can we do to help?
Charity Donations
Alongside this year’s theme of Mental Health in an Unequal World, here are some charities agains inequality within the UK that you can support:
Black Minds Matter UK, connecting Black individuals and families with free mental health services.
Trust Fund for London, tackling poverty and inequality in London.
Equality Trust UK, improving the quality of life in the UK by reducing economic and social inequality.
Sari UK, standing against racism and inequality.
Raise Awareness
One of the best ways to raise awareness today is through the power of social media. Here are some great Instagram accounts to follow and re-share content from:
Share and Support
There are so many free online resources available to help people from all areas of life to learn about mental health. Here are a few places to get started:
World Health Organisation Resources
Mental Health Foundation, A-Z of Mental Health
