World Mental Health Day: Conversations around mental health should not remain taboo – Minister Persaud

October 10, every year, is dedicated as World Mental Health Day and in observance of the day, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud said that work needed to be done to destigmatise conversations around mental health.

In a statement, the Ministry said that it has taken note of the damaging effects that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had on people’s mental health while emphasising the need to be optimistic and take on new, meaningful projects.
“Our mental health determines our state of well-being and our ability to function optimally, cope with challenges, and make everyday life choices and decisions. It is critical that conversations around mental health not remain taboo and people seeking help to alleviate mental health illnesses not be stigmatised. The COVID-19 pandemic stressors have increased the numbers of persons seeking treatment for mental health issues. It is imperative that every person can access that help and not be disparaged,” Dr Persaud was quoted as saying.
The Ministry also noted that it has been working to rally practical support measures for sufferers. It added that the pressures of everyday life can have an overwhelming effect and thus lead to frustration in some persons, causing them to develop a pessimistic outlook on life. The Ministry is urging persons who are struggling with mental health issues to cultivate optimism, described as, “hopefulness and confidence about the future or the success of something”.
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the mental health situation in the Americas, “increasing new cases of mental health conditions and worsening pre-existing ones”. The pandemic has also produced significant disruptions to services for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders.
Doctors the world over concur that being optimistic positively impacts health and well-being. The Mayo Clinic lists the following health benefits that positive thinking may provide: increased life span, lower rates of depression, lower levels of distress, greater resistance to the common cold, better psychological and physical well-being, better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and better coping skills during hardships and times of stress.
Doing something new and keeping the mind and brain occupied also work wonders when it comes to managing stress during the pandemic. In this context, hundreds have been signing up for the Ministry’s Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme, to which men are also welcome, to be trained in a number of skills areas.
A brainchild of Dr Persaud, WIIN encourages persons who are unemployed and at home doing nothing, to make effective use of their time in learning something new, and even receiving a certificate upon completion of the course.
World Mental Health Day 2021 was observed under the theme, “Mental Health in an Unequal World.”
The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health. World Mental Health 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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s mental health. Some groups, including health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected. During the World Health Assembly in May 2021, Governments from around the world recognised the need to scale up quality mental health services at all levels. And some countries have found new ways of providing mental health care to their populations.