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Mental Health: Health and beyond the health system

Living a healthy life does not only concern being physically health, but also concerns taking care of our mental health. Mental health includes our day-to-day psychological, emotional and social well-being.

Our mental well-being directly affects how we present ourselves and function in our day-to-day life. Therefore, it is not only associated with health, but beyond health and is cross-cutting across all areas of our life personal, professional, and spiritual life. A good mental health aids in our resiliency and encompasses our overall well-being.

2021 Context: The theme for World Mental Health Day, 2021

This year’s theme Mental Health in an Unequal World highlights the three major components: 1) The impact of COVID, which invites inequality, 2) lack of access to mental health services and 3) stigma related to mental health conditions. (Source: WFMH)

World Health Organization has announced the theme Mental Health Care for all: Let’s Make It a Reality, which also highlights the impact of COVID-19 pandemic has had on people’s mental health. After the World Health Assembly 2021, governments of all countries have recognized the importance of scaling up quality mental health services for all. Hence, WHO has created a platform to showcase and promote the best practices to encourage and inspire other countries as well.

During this year’s World Mental Health Day campaign, we will showcase the efforts made in some of these countries and encourage them to highlight positive stories as part of their own activities, as an inspiration to others. We will also provide new materials in easy-to-read formats on how to take care of our own mental health and provide support for others as well. (Source: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2021)

Our efforts for mental health promotion

KOSHISH promotes mental health and psychosocial well-being for all by advocating for the right based, holistic, recovery-based model services, while eliminating stigma, prejudice and discrimination related to mental health so that the government and other stakeholders may replicate it in a larger system in health and beyond health.

KOSHISH has filed a Public Interest Litigations in the Supreme Court for amendment or repealing of the discriminatory legal provisions and use of derogatory terminologies towards persons with mental health and psychosocial disabilities; and to establish active mental health division and units with authority at the federal, provincial and local levels.

KOSHISH has also been empowering communities through Community Mental Health Program, which extends services to improve the quality of life of persons with or at risk of mental health conditions. The program is promoting mental health and psychosocial well-being in the communities through awareness and de-stigmatization campaigns. The program has been applying evidence-based practices and has envisioned a replicable model of mental health service in community settings.