Our world is reeling under the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, wars, displacement, and the climate emergency, all of which have consequences for the well-being of world citizens. Rates of people experiencing suicidal ideas are increasing globally and people with lived experiences of mental illnesses, their families and other populations continue to tell us that their mental health well-being is not always at the forefront of governments, and those who pay for services or society at large. Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to the right care.
There is however some good news.
There is increasing evidence that the prevention of mental ill health is possible by using both general and targeted evidence-based interventions. These can improve outcomes for individuals across the spectrum of mental disorder and life course. We can all play our part in increasing awareness about what preventive mental health interventions work.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) adopted at the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly in 2015 cannot be achieved unless we make a meaningful investment in improving mental well-being for all. The COVID 19 pandemic has shown that many health systems are ill-prepared to deal with the physical and mental health challenges faced by their populations.
Employers generally are unprepared. The culture of our workplaces needs to support mental health and well-being of the workforce, so that employers a
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better prepared to support mental health and well-being in the working population. There is a need to establish global mental health and well-being targets that can bring together evidence that captures the social determinants of health, including promoting exercise, widening access to good nutrition and food, all of which will have a positive impact on mental health and well-being.
The mental health and well-being of many health, social care and frontline workers has also been affected by the pandemic and systems need to be strengthened to provide better support to such staff during times of crisis and challenge.
COVID 19 has shown that no nation was prepared for the associated mental health crisis and the effects of long Covid. We need a new compact for mental health.
Society and citizens matter. Civil society’s role needs to be enhanced and enabled so that people can make their own contribution to mental health and well-being in their communities and workplaces, including harnessing peer support.
Governments have an important role to play. Collaboration between governments, citizens and policy makers needs to be strengthened. Policy change is often seen as a tool to deliver care packages, but this approach alone cannot bring about the much-needed change. Policies should be regarded as care packages themselves. The international community and those who pay for services need to understand this so that we can develop truly integrated processes that deliver mental health and well-being to all our population. No community and no individual should be left behind.