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What about People with Mental Disabilities
Who are those people with mental disabilities? People with mental disabilities are those individuals who are suffering from any kind of mental disorder / illness. Did you know that people with mental disabilities are probably one of the most marginalized people especially in those developing countries?
Despite the many promises that developing countries pledge in order to help this special group of people, still, they continue to exclude and ignore this vulnerable group of people. It is true that a lot of time and effort have been spent to focus on programs to help people with mental disabilities. However, how many of these programs have actually been implemented? People with mental disabilities continue to be a major vulnerable group that needs our help and attention.
World Health Organization looks at People with Mental Disabilities
It is truly a great deal that the World Health Organization or the WHO is taking not just steps but strides in order to address the growing concern for people suffering from mental disorders. The World Health Organization made a study about people with mental disorders in order to find out where the system is defective so that the needed help can reach them. The reports showed that most of the development programs are not able to reach those people with mental conditions / people with psychosocial disabilities.
There is a range of between 75 % to 85 % people with mental illness that do not have any access to mental health treatment centers. Furthermore, did you know that about 90 % of the unemployment rates are somehow linked / associated with psychosocial or mental disabilities? Another distressing reality is that people are not given enough support such as educational or vocational opportunities in order for them to reach their full potential. The World Health Organization tells nations particularly the developing countries that this special / vulnerable group lacks voice, power, and visibility. This means that the nations should put in an extra effort to be involved and reach out to these people.
Because a lot of mortality and disability are linked to certain mental health disorders, the challenge for people to open their minds and act is indeed a great challenge. Statistics reveal that there is 1 person out of 4 people all over the world who will experience a mental health condition in his / her lifetime. There is a prediction that if we do not do anything to control mental disorders particularly depression, by the year 2030 which is about 18 years from now, Depression will become the 2nd top cause of disease burden in the middle income nations and the 3rd top cause of disease burden in low income nations.
Here are some of the ways that nations can start or improve on so that they can help people with mental disorders:
- Recognize and accept the vulnerability of this particular group of people. Make sure that they are included in all the planned development initiatives.
- Improve the healthcare service for mental health.
- Include adolescents and children with special needs (those with psychosocial / mental disabilities) in education programs.
- Improve the social services especially for those individuals suffering from mental disabilities.
