World Mental Health Day: It’s Time to Break Down the Stigma of Mental Health

On World Mental Health Day, the WHO’s new report focuses on breaking down the stigma and discrimination attached to mental health conditions. 

“We must normalize talking about mental health and its multitude of conditions because stigma is the chain onto which all mental health conditions link.” – Dévora Kestel, WHO

The report aims to do this by sharing stories of people living with, or who have experience of, mental health conditions. 

In the workplace, an estimated 12 billion workdays are lost annually due to depression and anxiety. The new report makes recommendations on how to tackle risks to mental health in the workplace.  

The WHO shares four key areas that should be prioritized on World Mental Health Day and going forward: 

• Funding for mental health services. Approximately one billion people were living with a mental disorder in 2019, but services are radically under resourced. 
• Understanding and skills. Both care-givers and the general public should gain better understanding of mental health. The WHO Quality Rights Mental Health e-training is a great place to start. 
• Self-care. Analyze workplace practices to ensure a healthier environment for employees and strong community support. 
• Listen to those who have lived with mental health conditions. Their experience will teach us how best to support and care for them.