“HEAL THE WORLD and make it a better place.” These are the words to a song by the ‘King of Pop,’ Michael Jackson, that suits the annual celebration during October 10, marking World Mental Health Day. This provides a global platform to address the issues and challenges around mental health and promote awareness and well-being.
Your mental health matters. Sadly, there are still some who are uninformed of how vital mental health is to society. They are not aware on how we stand up and speak about it amid oppression. With that, let us look at the history, importance, and theme of this year’s commemoration of World Mental Health Month.
A widespread openness
The abovementioned event was first observed in 1992 through the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). It was initially labelled as World Mental Health Day. The primary objective of the same was to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds mental health. It eventually became an avenue that promotes openness and proper conversation about the psychological challenges everyone endures.
This became a widespread recognition and momentum in international communities that has caused an eventual extension of the observance of this day to the whole month of October. Additionally, it allowed a broader approach to mental health awareness and related advocacies.
Our country became formally invested in mental health advocacies in 2001 when it first implemented the mental health policy which progressed to the Mental Health Act or Republic Act (RA) No. 11036 last 2018. According to its provisions, “The state commits itself to promoting the well-being of people by ensuring that; mental health is valued, promoted and protected,”
This is a clear promise for Filipinos affected by mental health conditions that they will be able to exercise the full range of their human rights. This act shows full compliance of the Philippine Government with its obligations under the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as other “international and regional human rights conventions and declarations.”
Compared to how mental health was treated back in 2001, the year the Mental Health Policy was introduced to the public, with it having lesser financial delegation than other sectors of healthcare in the Philippines, the act and advocacies that were dedicated to it on the generation we have now, shows the huge amount of change our country is doing to alter our former shortcomings.
Theme and focus for 2023
Every year, the WFMH decides on a theme for World Mental Health Day by a vote, including its members, stakeholders, and supporters. This year’s theme is “Mental Health is a Universal Right” as it tackles and focuses on everyone who suffers from mental health problems worldwide. The theme for 2023 also coincides with the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the WFMH.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this year’s theme gives “an opportunity to improve knowledge, raise awareness, and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal right.”
This theme aims for those with mental health to have “The right to be protected from known harms to mental health; a universal right which applies to the entire population, but especially the vulnerable including children, minorities and the displaced peoples.”
Further, the World Federation for Mental Health releases that the theme sets an understanding that everyone, all over the world, shall have the “Right to access quality and affordable care when a person is struggling with their mental health.” This captures the idea that all of us should be entitled to the right to freedom and dignity, including the right to choose.
One with the vision
Filipino organizations and government agencies across the nation have pioneered their projects and efforts to cement their commitment to upholding the values and advocacies of World Mental Health Day. For instance, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) joined the event by organizing training events for its staff and volunteers on Psychological First Aid (PFA) across its nationwide chapters.
“We have trained staff and volunteers who provide psychosocial support to people affected by disasters. We are continually training more so people will have this needed support available in case a disaster strikes, especially because the Philippines is disaster-prone,” PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard “Dick” Gordon stated in an interview with Red Cross PH.
The need for a battle cry on health awareness and support became the elephant in the room when the pandemic surfaced. The Philippine Mental Health Association Inc. (PMHA) called on the need to combat the “silent epidemic” that the country faces regarding mental health. In a speech during the World Mental Health Day event in Cagayan de Oro City on October 9, 2022, the President of PMHA, Dr. Cornelio Banaag Jr., the PMHA “noticed a sharp increase in mental health concerns during and after the COVID-19 lockdowns.”
A call for help
The commemoration of World Mental Health Month serves as a global call to action. This month calls for the unity of organizations, individuals, and communities to address and act on the issues that surround mental health.
Through this type of promotion, understanding and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health will help us to move forward to a world that prioritizes mental health before an object of achievement. With this, let us remember and keep in our hearts that the month-long recognition of mental health also serves as a reminder to continuously fight for awareness and support towards this advocacy for the rest of our lives.
The path to proper mental well-being includes open conversations, empathy, and commitment to taking care of and nurturing our minds. Let this serve as a reminder that support and awareness towards proper mental well-being do not start and end with posts of care but with a heart and action of compassion. Let us work together to combat stigma, give support, and educate others about the importance of mental health.
Artwork by: Jannine Salinas