WASHINGTON, DC, October 2, 2019 (PAHO) — Mental health problems are the largest cause of disability in the world. Leading disorders include depression, anxiety disorders, dementia, and alcohol abuse. Together, an estimated 20% of days lost in health are due to mental illness. It is also estimated that globally, only 10% of people who need attention or treatment for mental health problems receive it.
These were some of the issues outlined by mental health experts at a side event of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)’s 57th Council session, a meeting of health ministers from all over the Americas, on advances in the treatment of mental health problems at the first level of care.
Dr. Deborah Kestel, Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at the World Health Organization (WHO)
The event was hosted by Argentina and Chile. Participants included Dr. Débora Kestel, Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at the World Health Organization (WHO), PAHO Deputy Director Isabella Danell, Argentina’s Minister of Health Adolfo Rubinstein, and Chile’s Undersecretary of Public Health Paula Daza. Ministers of Health and officials from Peru and other PAHO member states also participated.
Argentina’s Minister of Health Adolfo Rubinstein, PAHO Deputy Director Isabella Danell, and Chile’s Undersecretary of Public Health Paula Daza.
Representatives shared their experiences in transforming mental health approaches from psychiatric hospitals to community-based mental health with a focus on primary health care. They also stressed the importance of prevention and early detection, the community mental health model and the need to integrate mental health services in primary health care. They also stressed the need to continue to fight against the human rights approach and the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illnesses that prevent people from receiving the treatment they need.
The presenter noted that someone takes their own life every 40 seconds in the world. Among 15-29 year olds, suicide is the second leading cause of death worldwide and the third leading cause of death in the Americas. Meanwhile, on average, only 2% of the health budget in the Americas is spent on mental health.
In some countries, there is a shortage of mental health professionals, so workforce development is a priority, including training both new professionals and those working in primary health care facilities.
The mental health event was recorded and can be viewed below.
https://vimeo.com/363548574 and https://vimeo.com/363611472