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Mental health problems are common in societies throughout the world, and many families are affected at some point or another. This could be as a result of a mental or neurological disorder, severe stress or from alcohol and drug related problems. The World Health Organization estimates that mental and behavioral disorders account for 12% of the global burden of disease.
Mental health problems can happen to anyone. These problems could include depression, epilepsy, intellectual disability or alcohol dependence. Severe mental health problems often have serious economic consequences, which in turn lead to under- or unemployment and poverty. Not only is poverty related to mental health problems but so too are other social problems such as racism and violence against women.
Globally 5, 8% of men and 9, 5% of women will experience depressive symptoms in a 12-month period. Unipolar depression is currently the fourth leading cause of Disability Adjusted Life Years. It is estimated that by 2020 the burden of depression will increase and become the second leading cause of disability-adjusted life years. Currently the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years is lower respiratory infections followed by perinatal conditions.
We also know that depression and suicides are related. Many people try to kill themselves because they are depressed. Socio-economic stresses, including unemployment, also correlate with the suicide rate as does alcohol abuse and easy access to toxic substances and firearms.
The overall prevalence of mental and behavioral disorders amongst children ranges between 10 and 20% and developing and developed countries appear to have surprisingly similar rates.
It is believed that one of the greatest obstacles to preventing mental illness is ignorance.
Stigma erodes confidence that mental disorders are real, treatable health conditions. We need to break down the barriers of stigma in our communities, and motivate people to seek help should they feel too stressed or suspect a mental disorder.
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The need to understand mental health.
