Breaking the silence: Exploring the “Mental Health Awareness Month”

WEB DESK: The Mental Health Awareness Month is observed for the entire month of May every year in the United States (US). Let’s explore its significance and what it entails.

The awareness drive was first observed in the US in 1949. Since then, it has been held every year in the North American country. The campaign is managed by Mental Health America (MHA).

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Throughout the month, various organisations organise a range of activities, such as media campaigns, local events, and film screenings. Their goal is to increase awareness about mental health issues, reduce stigma, and educate the public about mental illnesses.

The MHA selects a different theme to guide the focus of Mental Health Awareness Month each year. For example, the 2024 theme is “Where to Start”. The focus is to support for people struggling with the challenges of modern life and encouraging them to seek help.

Previously, last year’s themes was “Look Around, Look Within” that aimed to highlight the impact of environmental factors on mental health. Similarly, “Back to Basics” in 2022 focused on foundational knowledge about mental health and available resources.

The campaign aims to promote understanding of mental health conditions and equip affectees with tools for bettering their mental well-being. It also advocates for early intervention and treatment.

The awareness drive puts a huge emphasis on the significance of social connectedness and community support in sustaining mental wellness.

Any campaign aimed at reducing stigma surrounding mental health issues is crucial, especially in communities like Pakistan where the stigma is particularly prevalent. Such campaigns also play an important role in highlighting the prevalence of severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. By raising awareness and promoting open dialogue, destigmatisation efforts regarding mental health issues will facilitate access to resources and support services.

In addition to Mental Health Awareness Month, other similar events are observed globally. “World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10 each year. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the primary objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues worldwide and mobilize efforts to support mental health.

WHO goes on to state the importance of events like World Mental Health Day in raising awareness and facilitating open dialogue to destigmatise mental health issues. According to WHO, such events offer a platform for stakeholders engaged in mental health initiatives to engage in discussions about their efforts and identify additional measures required to ensure global accessibility to mental health care.

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Mental health issues represent one of the most overlooked and stigmatized challenges facing modern societies. Despite the societal advancements achieved, including the destigmatization of diseases like leprosy that once led to social ostracism, there is still much progress needed in this area. Only through raising public awareness, promoting understanding, and advocating for mental health support and resources for individuals and communities can humanity effectively overcome this challenge.