World Mental Health Day: the campaign
Move for mental health: let’s invest
The campaign, co-designed by the World Health Organization, United for Global Mental Health and the World Federation for Mental Health, builds on the concept that, while mental health has been receiving increasing global attention in recent years, the field has not received commensurate investment.
This campaign offers opportunities for all of us to do something life-affirming: as individuals, to take concrete actions in support of our own mental health, and to support friends and family who are struggling; as employers, to take steps towards putting programmes in place for employee wellness; as governments, to commit to establishing or scaling-up mental health services; and as journalists, to tell the world what more can and must be done to make mental health a reality for everyone.
Given the recommendations for physical distancing in place in countries throughout the world, the main campaign activities organized by WHO and partners will take place online.
Similarly we encourage organizers of activities for World Mental Health Day to organize online activities when possible. When in-person activities are held, it is important that measures are in place, in line with national and local authority regulations, for physical distancing and prevention of infection.
Key messages
The health argument
- Close to one billion people have a mental disorder and anyone, anywhere, can be affected.
- Depression is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents and adults.
- 1 in 5 children and adolescents has a mental disorder.
- People with severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia tend to die 10-20 years earlier than the general population.
- Suicide is claiming the lives of close to 800 000 people every year ̶ 1 person every 40 seconds ̶- and is the second leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29 years.
The care gap
- Despite the universal nature and the magnitude of mental ill health, the gap between demand for mental health services and supply remains substantial.
- Relatively few people around the world have access to quality mental health services.
- In low- and middle-income countries, more than 75% of people with mental health conditions receive no treatment for their condition at all.
- The serious gaps that still exist in mental health care are a result of chronic under-investment over many decades in mental health promotion, prevention and care.
- Stigma, discrimination and human rights abuses of people with mental health conditions remain widespread.
The economic cost
- The lost productivity resulting from depression and anxiety, two of the most common mental disorders, costs the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year.
The investment deficit
- On average, countries spend less than 2% of their national health budgets on mental health.
- Despite an increase of development assistance for mental health in recent years, it has never exceeded 1% of development assistance for health.
The good news
- Some of the most common mental health conditions, depression and anxiety, can be treated with talking therapies, medication, or a combination of these.
- For every US$ 1 invested in scaled-up treatment for depression and anxiety, there is a return of US$ 5.
- For every US$ 1 invested in evidence-based treatment for drug dependence, there is a return of up to US$ 7 in reduced crime and criminal justice costs.
- Generalist health workers can be trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions.
- Regular health checks of people with severe mental disorders can prevent premature death.
- The quality of life of people living with conditions such as autism and dementia can be greatly improved when their caregivers receive appropriate training.
- The rights of people living with mental health conditions can be protected and promoted through mental health legislation, policy, development of affordable, quality community-based mental health services and the involvement of people with lived experience.
Activities
24-hour March for Mental Health
On 9 October, mental health activists around the world will join a March for Mental Health organized by the nongovernmental organization, United for Global Mental Health. A 24-hour Facebook livestream will feature content from expert voices, people with lived experience and influencers around the world. Listen and be inspired by the dedication of civil society campaigners from 19 countries as they seek to increase awareness of mental health issues, break down stigma and bring about increased investment.
What can this campaign change?
A historic opportunity exists to place mental health high on the global agenda. Even before COVID-19, mental health was gaining traction among global development priorities. This campaign will build on this momentum, subsequently leading to more active engagement, commitment and investment in mental health, at the individual, national and international levels.
World Mental Health Day