Psychological disorders have worsened in recent years. So much so, that it is considered that all people at some point in life have gone through episodes of anxiety, depression and anguish without being diagnosed. Even more so when there are episodes of war, shortages and pandemics. Therefore, mental problems become a social concern, both because of the disease itself, and because of the associated repercussions.
In fact, the stigmatization of people with some type of mental disorder has a universal character of setback, inequity and discrimination. This makes it necessary to make a call for awareness of the needs, the burden and the suffering that people with this type of disability live. Where it affects not only the primary individual, but also his family and the community, which are the ones who must assume the care and costs that this situation implies.
Mental problems are a public health challenge
We understand that mental health is important to ensure the well-being of the individual. However, it is rarely given the same attention as physical health, leaving aside the associative consequences; depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorders, to name a few; that alter the development of the individual.
Since, we see, that mental problems are not only typical of cellular aging. Giving way to a host of behavioral alterations; accompanying children, adolescents and young adults; that appear more prevalent today. Which leads to jeopardizing health institutions, the national budget and the stability of the community.
This is how it seeks to overcome barriers of all kinds and understand the magnitude of mental problems. Especially because diagnosed cases increase annually, as does the number of suicides due to depression. In the same way, there are human rights violations, social stigmatization and discrimination, both in the health sector and outside it.1
In addition, we find that people with mental disabilities must face environmental, social, biological and psychological factors, which are the responsibility not only of families and caregivers, but also of health organizations and government entities. This is how inclusion policies and prevention programs should be established.1
Care and support to overcome the crisis
We found that in ancient times people with mental disabilities were hidden by their families, depriving them of the opportunity to overcome their limitations and live with quality. And although, today, much of that legacy of indifference, seclusion and inattention is still preserved. At least the issue has been given greater visibility, trying to raise awareness; https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/49578?locale-attribute=es; both in the community and in governments.
Hence, it seeks to establish an action plan where there are effective and affordable services, which avoid chronic disability, premature mortality and increased health costs. Likewise, mechanisms should be sought so that mental problems and social stigmatization are situations that can be faced with education, inclusion, employment opportunities and equality. In such a way, that actions that lead to caring for the health, well-being and personal development of the entire population are multiplied. 2
References:
- 1. Calf-Partida Omar Fernando. Mental Health in Mexico, A historical, legal and bioethical perspective. Pers.bioét. [Internet]. 2014 July [cited 2021 July 26]; 18 (2): 238-253. Available from:
http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0123-31222014000200012&lng=en.
- 2. Berenzon-Gorn Shoshana, Saavedra-Solano Nayelhi, Galván-Reyes Jorge. Contexts and challenges for mental health care at the first level. A socio-ecological approach. Public health Mex [revista en la Internet]. 2018 apr [citado 2021 Jul 26]; 60 (2): 184-191. Available in:
http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0036-36342018000200021&lng=es.