World Mental Health Day 2022

World Mental Health Day has been celebrated around the world every 10^th October since 1992. The World Federation for Mental Health first initiated it as part of an annual consciousness raising program bringing to light the effect of poor mental wellbeing on people’s lives around the globe.

Since 1994, every Mental Health Day has had a specific theme brought to attention. This year’s theme will be 'Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority'. Arguably fitting given what the world has come out of. Lockdowns, fear of infection, health & social care backlog, and the emerging neurological effects of “Long Covid” have contributed to growing mental health emergencies internationally.

A study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found amongst UK students, lockdown severity was associated with depressive symptoms. Covid-19 itself has also contributed to mental health concerns. A meta-analysis of studies of “Long Covid” patients found 12% suffered depression afterwards. In addition, 11% suffered sleep disorders, 12% suffered anxiety and 58% experienced fatigue. Alongside patients, frontline health professionals have taken a toll. 63.3% of nurses in a poll from Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health agreed they feared under preparation (especially in terms of protective equipment). It’s clear now is the time for mental health to also be prioritised.

As appropriate this year’s theme is for the actual day, we must not forget that it is irresponsible to relegate awareness of mental health to one day every year. It’s easier for this to happen to mental health problems as they do not present immediate physical symptoms unlike other illnesses. This should not however change the fact that this is still a medical problem which if untreated can also have fatal consequences. Suicide is now the biggest killer of men under 45 and is and according to the WHO is the fourth leading cause of death for 15–19-year-olds.

Of course, this is the most severe aspect of mental health problems around the world and won’t be the case for all people. However merely having a mental health concern is not uncommon. The charity Mind reports that a quarter of people in England will experience a mental health concern each year. Hence, we at Healthwatch Barking & Dagenham want the message of this year’s World Mental Health Day to extend beyond the 10^th October. To this end we will be the voice of our local community by signposting relevant services and helping represent the views of residents to influence any change necessary.