GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Sunday 10 October marks World Mental Health Day around the world.  The theme is “Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality.” #WorldMentalHealthDay

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s mental health. “Some groups, including health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected. And services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders have been significantly disrupted,” the WHO pointed out.

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department from the Sint Maarten Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, says that World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity for people and organizations around the world 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.

The observations and creating awareness of the annual theme is part of CPSs annual calendar of health observances.

Mental health refers to an array of activities directly or indirectly related to the mental well-being component included in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health: “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease.”

CPS says that “Mental issues are common problems among people some more intense than others but all requiring help and attention. It could bother anyone at any time of your life. Stay attentive. Create awareness on Mental health.

“Do not be ashamed Mental illness is not a failure we encourage all persons and families struggling with mental illness to seek help and support do not hide your feelings but open up, mental illness.

“Together as we commemorate Mental Health Awareness let us as community support mental health awareness programs.”

Close to one billion people have a mental disorder and anyone, anywhere, can be affected.

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. Globally, it is estimated that 5% of adults suffer from depression.

Globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experience a mental disorder. Half of all such disorders start by age 14 years but most are undetected and untreated.

People with severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia tend to die 10-20 years earlier than the general population. 

One in every 100 deaths is by suicide. It is the fourth leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29 years.

Some of the most common mental health conditions, depression and anxiety, can be treated with talking therapies, medication, or a combination of these.

Regular health checks of people with severe mental disorders can prevent premature death.

The Sint Maarten Mental Health Organization (MHF) provides psychiatric care services to the population of the country.  Its mission includes prevention to mitigate as much as possible the negative impact of mental disorders on individual’s wellbeing and on society.

For general information on mental health issues, you can call 542-1677 or for a mental health crisis, you can call the crisis line 520-5556 which will be answered by a professional and its confidential.

For more information, you can call CPS 542-1122 or 914.