Mental health is defined as a welfare state in which the individual realizes his own potential, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community.
The positive dimension of mental health highlighted in the definition of health contained in the Constitution of WHO: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
These facts and figures highlight the most important aspects of mental health and mental disorders. Among the images are pictures drawn by children who participated in the Global School Contest on Mental Health in 2001.
10 facts on mental health
1. About half of mental disorders are manifested before age 14. It is estimated that approximately 20% of children and adolescents worldwide have disorders or mental problems, and in all cultures are seen similar types of disorders. However, the regions with the highest percentages of population under 19 years are those that have fewer mental health resources. Most low-income countries and means have only one child psychiatrist per million to four million people.
2. Depression is characterized by sadness and loss of interest constants, which are associated with psychological symptoms, behavioral and physical. Globally ranked as the leading cause of disability.
3. On average about 800 000 people commit suicide every year, 86% of them in low and middle income. More than half of people who kill themselves have 15 to 44 years. The highest rates of suicide are found among men of the East European countries. Mental disorders, one of the leading causes of suicide are treatable.
4. Wars and other major disasters have a major impact on mental health and psychosocial well-being. The incidence of mental disorders tends to double after emergencies.
5. Mental disorders are among the risk factors for communicable diseases and no communicable diseases. They can also lead to unintentional or intentional injuries.
6. The stigma surrounding mental illness and discrimination of patients and their families make the people from seeking mental health care. In South Africa, a government survey showed most people thought that mental illnesses were related to stress or lack of willpower rather than medical conditions. Contrary to what one might think, the levels of stigma are greater in urban areas and among people with higher education level.
7. Allegations of violations of human rights of psychiatric patients in most countries are frequent. These violations include physical coercion, confinement and deprivation of basic needs and privacy. Few countries have a legal framework that adequately protects the rights of persons with mental disorders.
8. There are major differences in the distribution of human resources for mental health care in the world. The shortage of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists and social workers are among the main obstacles to providing treatment and care in countries of low and middle income. Low-income countries have 0.05 psychiatrists and 0.16 psychiatric nurses per 100 000 inhabitants, whereas in high income countries this figure is 200 times higher.
9. To increase the availability of mental health services, there are five obstacles to overcome key: inclusion of mental health care in public health programs and the resulting consequences in terms of funding, the current organization mental health services, lack of integration of mental health in primary care, the shortage of human resources for mental health care, and lack of initiative in the field of public mental health.
10. Governments, donors and groups representing mental health workers, the mentally ill and their families have to work together to increase mental health services, especially in countries of low and middle income. The financial resources needed are relatively modest: $ 2 per person per year in low income countries and U.S. $ 3 to 4 in middle-income countries.
Tags: Children, definition of health, Depression, Health, Mental Health, mental problems, Physical, psychiatric nurses, psychologists
