Mental illness affects people in every corner of our global community. Thousands with mental health conditions around the world can face discrimination, stigma, and emotional and physical abuse in mental health facilities. Additionally, many receive poor quality of care due to dilapidated facilities and lack of qualified health professionals.[1]
The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10th, and sponsored by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), is “Dignity in mental health” and focuses on how dignity can be provided in all aspects of mental health – from patient care to the attitudes of the general public.
The WFMH’s goal when it established World Mental Health Day in 1992 was public education at all levels of society. Today it’s become the largest and most widely promoted education and advocacy program of the WFMH.
How can you take part? You can read and share their campaign materials. And on social media, they’ve been asking: What does dignity mean to YOU? #WMHDay. You can share your responses on their Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to log in to your PatientsLikeMe community to share there as well.
Defining dignity, together.
[1] http://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-day/2015/en/
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