Quick measures are needed, to sensitize communities for supporting those suffering from mental disorder; according to Health experts dealing with mental issues.
This was disclosed by the director of mental health department in the ministry of health, Dr. Yvonna Kayiteshonga to the press ahead of World Mental Health day slated to take place on 19th this month.
“The scale of mental disorder globally is alarming and is a wakeup call for anyone to address this global challenge of this non-communicable disease” Dr. Yvonna Kayiteshonga, director of mental health in the ministry of health says.
Adding this year’s mental health event aims to encourage government and civil society around the world to address depression as a widespread illness that affects individuals, families and peers.
Equally Experts around the world are calling for a joint effort to tackle mental health disorders which is the world’s leading cause of suffering and disability.
Nearly 450 million people have mental health disorders and more than
three-quarters live in developing countries.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), eight in every 10 of
those living in developing nations receive no treatment at all.
Many are the survivors of infectious diseases, natural disasters and war.
Yet according to the WHO Many low-income countries have less than one
mental health specialist per one million populations.
The Canadian government has said it will give nearly $20m to support
15 new projects designed to improve mental health diagnosis and care
in developing countries.
The projects, led by Grand Challenges Canada will tackle issues that
can lead to mental illness, such as alcohol and substance abuse, as
well as delivering solutions like counseling and health promotion.
One project will use mobile phones to deliver instant and accessible
support to Nigerian women suffering from postnatal depression.
Today, depression is estimated to affect 350 million people and the lifetime prevalence rate falls between 8 to 12 percent.
