Minister of Health, Environment, Youth, Sports and Culture The Hon. Mark Scotland, JP

10 October 2012

The Cayman Islands will join the World Health Organization (WHO) in observing the 20^th anniversary of World Mental Health Day on Wednesday, 10^th October 2012. The observance of this day serves to raise public awareness about mental health issues, and is a time to feel part of an international community with similar concerns.

This year, the theme for the day is Depression: A Global Crisis. Here in the Cayman Islands, depression accounts for 50 percent of mental illnesses, and approximately 10 percent of the population experiences some type of mental illness. Globally, depression affects more than 350 million people of all ages in all communities and is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. Almost 1 million people take their own lives each year because of being depressed. Although there are known effective treatments for depression, access to treatment is a problem in most countries, and in some countries fewer than 10 percent of those who need it receive such treatment.

Since taking up office as Minister of Health, I have established a Mental Health Taskforce, firstly, to review the Mental Health Law and secondly, to develop a National Mental Health Policy. The review of the Law is nearing completion thanks to the hard work of a dedicated team of individuals representing the private and public sectors.

In the past, persons were reluctant to admit mental illness in themselves or their families because of stigma and discrimination. Persons were afraid to seek help. Thankfully, this is beginning to change as more persons become more vocal, advocating for their loved ones and looking for ways to gather support.

Let us remember that mental health is an integral part of our health; indeed there is no health without mental health. It is the foundation for an individual’s well-being, and the promotion of good mental health helps people to maintain healthy lifestyles.

Let us as a country continue to promote mental health in our young children, our youth, our men and women, our schools and our communities.

I would like to take this opportunity to applaud the efforts of our mental health practitioners in the government and private sectors. Their efforts help to improve the lives of persons affected by mental illness and to encourage people to seek help.

Finally, I leave you with a quote, from a joint statement of the World Federation for Mental Health and the NGO Forum for Health and Alliance for Health Promotion, read at the 64^th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, May 2011: “Mental illnesses are not only a risk factor for other Non Communicable Diseases (NCD), but are often a consequence of having diabetes, cancers, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases. Without addressing mental illnesses explicitly, outcomes related to NCD initiatives will not only be less effective, but also, as the research shows, will cost more. For example, we know that diabetics have twice the risk of being depressed as non-diabetics; and treating both diabetes and depression results in improved medication adherence and lower health care costs. If depression is addressed, outcomes improve and medical expenditures are reduced.”

I encourage everyone to embrace a healthy lifestyle, take the necessary steps to care for their emotional well-being, and support those among us who suffer from mental illness.

Thank you.

About World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day falls on October 10, 2008. The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) focuses on attracting worldwide attention on burning global mental health issues through education, information, active support and resources, which forms the main theme of this year’s campaign.

The cornerstone of World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) campaign includes prevention of mental health disorders amid the backdrop of cultural and geographical barriers. The objectives seek to cut the rates of mental, emotional and psychological disorders by altering the conditions which promote mental ill health.

The WFMH will address the issue in two ways – one, a collective approach which caters to the public at large, and two, a more specialized approach to those at high risk. Undoubtedly, it is a time of reckoning TO ACT FAST AND NOW to improve mental healthcare worldwide.

Impediments to Mental Health Services

Paucity of resources and its uneven distribution worldwide have been recognized as core barriers to mental health services.

Most of the mental health services are easily available only in urban locations. Many sections of society who reside away from urban areas are deprived of access to proper mental healthcare services. WFMH initiatives this year seek to improve mental health facilities, especially in deprived areas.

2008 Action Plan for WFMH

• Improve organization of mental health services.
• Address paucity of human resources for mental health services.
• Improve distribution of mental health resources and ensure its proper use.
• Target prevention of mental health disorders.
• To assist developing nations plagued by increasing numbers of mental health problems.
• To remove the stigma associated with mental health disorders.
• To reduce the incidences of mental health disorders by improving facilities and living environment.
• To increase awareness, spread information, and enable training to the public about mental health and its significance.

Making the world a better place

The distressed mentally ill need support not discriminatory treatment. Let’s endeavor to make a world of difference to those in the grips of mental health disorders, with empathy, compassion and unflinching support. Let the world be full of hope and promise even for those whose chips are down!
For more go to: World Mental Health Day | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/World-Mental-Health-Day-42738-1.htm#ixzz28pPz2J00