Annual World Mental Health Day (WMHD) falls on September 10 and Belhoul European Hospital (BEH) is set to hold a free “Question and answers in matters of the mind” session for the community between six and eight pm.
Established by the World Federation for Mental Health, WMHD provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness about mental health. Each year a new theme is selected to highlight public mental health issues of world wide concern. This year’s theme is “Mental and physical health across the lifespan” with an objective to emphasize the interdependence and the relatedness of good mental and physical health at every stage of life.
The question and answer session at BEH will be held by Specialist Psychiatrist, Dr Bahar Celen MD and she says it is good opportunity for anyone who has a need to enquire about psychological illnesses and their symptoms, treatments and outcomes. Anybody interested in the subject is welcome.
According to Dr Celen In today’s modern medicine the separation between so-called “mental” and “physical” health no longer exists. “The scientific understanding of health in 21st century advocates that body and mind are inseparably one, that the matters of mind affect the body and that the body affects the mind. There is no health without mental health.
Yet myths, misbelieves and misinformation about mental illnesses, stigma and discrimination of mentally ill to different extents still exist all over the world. A big problem is the lack of public awareness and knowledge. Mental illnesses are still considered ‘manifestations of evil spirits’ or ‘punishment for past sins’ in many societies,” says Dr Celen.
According to Dr Celen, no country, society or race and no person is immune to mental disorders. They can happen to anyone. Their impact in social and economic terms is very high. Statistics say that one out of 4-5 people worldwide suffers a psychological illness during lifetime. This also means suffering for that person’s family. Mental disorders, when untreated, are one of the major causes of disability in the world and according to studies they are increasing. It seems by 2020 Major Depressive Illness will be the leading cause of disability world wide for women and children. We have to take the mental health issue seriously and approach it with knowledge and empathy.
Dr Celen continues, “First of all it is important to understand that mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders and not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or evil spirits. They cannot be overcome through ‘will power’ and are not related to a person’s intelligence or capacity. Mental illnesses are treatable. Medication treatment and psychotherapy help along the whole spectrum of mental disorders.
“Stigma and discrimination are the biggest obstacles that people with psychological problems face. Stigma means a mark or sign of shame, disgrace or disapproval, of being shunned or rejected by others. The stigma surrounding mental illness is so strong that it places a wall of silence around this issue. Many people with psychological problems don’t go to doctors and don’t get treatment because they dread the stigma attached to mental illness. Early diagnose and treatment is of vital importance in mental health. Stigma prevents this. The problem evolves and becomes a burden for the whole family, a sense of hopelessness and despair sets in and leads to tragic consequences.
“Stigma can only be reduced by openly talking about mental disorders in the community. Improving community attitudes by increasing awareness, knowledge and understanding about mental illness is essential if people with a mental illness are to live in, and contribute to, the community. It is time to take the barriers of stigma and discrimination down. So let’s talk. Let’s talk about the mental illnesses, their treatment, their outcomes, what family members and governments can do to help the individuals who have psychological disorders. This will be helpful for all of us and will be an investment in a better future for all of us. Because nobody is immune to mental illness and none of us would like to face stigma and discrimination instead of help and support.”
