Many countries throughout the world observed World Mental Health Day on 10 October. The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, was “Dignity In Mental Health”. There are individuals in Anguilla with mental illnesses who are discriminated against, stigmatised and even marginalised and we, as a country, must to do better.
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is observed on 10th October every year with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues, around the world, and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders 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.
This year, WHO will be raising awareness of what can be done to ensure that people with mental health conditions can continue to live with dignity – through human rights oriented policy and law, training of health professionals, respect for informed consent to treatment, inclusion in decision-making processes and public information campaigns.
Mental Health in Anguilla
Several strides have been made in Anguilla to improve the level of mental health care in the last twenty years, but there is much more to be done. Much more public education is needed to change the attitudes of members of the public and health workers as well. There is a need to change the attitudes that perpetuate stigma and discrimination that have isolated people with mental illness. There is a need to expand the services that we provide to individuals with mental illnesses. We must also improve the efficiency of the limited resources that we presently have. There must be greater partnership between the private and public health care providers on the island so that we provide a more holistic and comprehensive health for individuals with mental illnesses. The fact that Mental Health Day passed in Anguilla without much fanfare and publicity is an indication of how much we as a country care about mental illness on the island.
What is a mental health illness?
A mental illness is a disease of the brain that causes mild to severe disturbances in thought and/or behaviour, resulting in an inability to cope with life’s ordinary demands and routines. Mental illness, like physical illnesses, is on a continuum of severity ranging from mild to moderate to severe. There are many treatment options now available for managing individuals with a mental illness, but many individuals fail to get the required treatments. The stigma associated with mental illness is still the biggest barrier that prevents people from getting treatment or retaining their treatment.
Common mental health illnesses in Anguilla.
Data on mental health illnesses in Anguilla is limited. There is a need for more research into mental health illnesses in Anguilla. There are more than 200 classified forms of mental illness. Some of the more common disorders in Anguilla are: clinical depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. Mental illness can affect anyone, old or young, professionals and non-professionals and individuals of all socio-economic groups. Individuals in Anguilla, like many other countries, still stigmatize individuals with mental illnesses and this severely impedes effective management of these individuals.
Conclusion
The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day was, “Dignity in Mental Health”. There are many individuals in Anguilla who have a mental illness, but fail to be adequately managed. Some do receive excellent care, but there are others who do not receive that expected standard of care. Health professionals on the island who manage these individuals do an excellent job with the limited resources that they have. There are many treatments available for individuals with mental illness. I am convinced that with proper care and treatment many individuals in Anguilla with mental illnesses can be successfully treated and go on to live productive lives. Many can learn to cope or recover from their mental illness provided they make themselves available for treatment. Health care professionals and others must continue efforts to remove the stigma associated with mental illness and provide care to these individuals in a dignified way.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB, BS, DGO, MRCOG, is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty two years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
