Hi again everyone! We know its been a while since we've posted anything and we apologise about that. We have been a “little” busy with normal life issues and such.
Todays topic will be on the brewing storm encircling mental illness, and explaining how the worlds governments may be setting the conditions for the “perfect storm”...
through lack of action.
On October 4th, 2001 experts at the WHO [1](World Health Organization) estimated that 450 million people were currently suffering from some kind of mental illness across the planet [2] . This was accompanied by a disturbing theory that 25% of the world's population would; at some point in their lives, be affected by mental illness [These results were gathered using WMH-CIDI criteria [3] used by trained lay investigators] .
As humans in a modern society we often go to great lengths to (at least in theory) take care of ourselves. So we have, in most parts of the world, a well developed (or at least developing) health care system and the treatment of physical ailments, diseases, and injury. All of which is continuously monitored and reported, all $6.5 trillion of it. Why add this tid-bit of info? Let’s do a bit of a comparison shall we?
When it comes to mental health care the story is quite different. Armed only with data from 2001(54th world health assembly [4]) we can only refer to old data (Which goes to show how much of a priority this is to the rest of the world). With this said, the data we have in its entirety is disturbing. According to the data provided in the report, 40% of the worlds governments have absolutely no mental health policies [5], which means no help programs, no government support, and no official mental health research. If this data is congruent with our current condition on some of the world's government's mental health policies we may have a very serious issue. Here’s why, with 2015 just around the corner mental illness is estimated to jump to second place in the leading cause of disability in the world in a little over five years. This is based off of a WHO estimate from 2001 that the CDC seems to still believe as of October 4th, 2013 is still possible [6] .
So where is proof of this possible rising storm? According to the World Health Organisation 20% of the adolescent and youth population have mental disorders or problems [7]. While not all mental illnesses are serious; according to a study conducted by WHO WMH (World Mental Health), a fair portion of individuals with mental illness are listed as having a “serious” classification [8] .
This does not indicate “the end of the world” or anything of the sort, but it does hint to the possibility of a huge issue occurring in 2020. Which happens to be very soon. So we may be in for a bumpy ride if actions to treat and care for those with mental illness aren't accelerated, which knowing the normal reaction time of the world, will likely take too long.
-- Suicide/ Mental Health Group
Sources:
- Photo of storm [9]
- CDC on 2020 prediction- CDC [6]
- 450 Million people- WHO [2]
- WHO- Home [1]
It is very sad and very disturbing the lack of resources to help those suffering daily with mental illness. The United States is a rich country that only helps the rich.
ReplyDeleteI agree with much of your statement, but what I would like to point out is that the US is part of the few doing anything at all (even if it is going towards the rich). The US spending on healthcare accounts for about half of the 6.5 trillion, (3.8 trillion). But yes, even then, all mental illness seems to be doing is accelerating.
Delete