Erasing the Stigma Through Education
Today is Sunday October 10th, 2021. Most people view Sundays as a rest day. The weekend is nearing it’s end, tomorrow it’s back to work or school. Whether this is in person or virtually. But this Sunday is so much more. Because this Sunday is World Mental Health Day. What’s that? Great question! World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigma (as defined by the World Health Organization). It was first celebrated in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health.
More than 150 countries hold membership in this organization. The overall objective of this day is to educate and raise awareness of mental health issues on a global scale. In turn providing an opportunity to bring an open atmosphere of communication and education. Along with a change in policies to make sure that mental health care is a worldwide reality.
With the COVID-19 pandemic more people than ever have been affected mentally. Especially those on the front lines like doctors and nurses. As well as those who already had a pre-existing mental health condition. Unfortunately with the pandemic, services to help people have been disrupted. Thus creating a vicious, seemingly never ending cycle.
Depression is a common mental health condition and oftentimes depression can lead to suicide. For example among Maryland’s black residents suicide increased by 94% during the lockdown Spring 2020. While suicide rates among the broader population were down compared to the past three years (see Suicides Rise In Black Population During COVID-19 by Karen Blum).
When I was nine, there was a young black male in my class. He attempted to commit suicide at school. He did this again when we were ten. Everyone said that he just wanted attention. That he was just “showing out.” Well, he “showed out” again in the summer of the year we turned eleven. Only this time he succeeded. Depression doesn’t discriminate. It’s an equal opportunity mental health condition that crosses all ages, genders, and race. I wish there had been a World Mental Health Day back then.
So, while you are resting this Sunday celebrate World Mental Health Day and let’s heal the world.
This article written by Wymanette Castaneda. Follow her on Twitter: @Wymanette70
