Mental health care
WORLD Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilising efforts in support of mental health.
Among other things, the day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to talk about their work, share their knowledge and discuss what needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
It is also a time to talk about challenges faced and devising ways to effectively address them.
The fact is, there is a strong need for people with lived experiences, families, businesses, workplaces, communities to talk about their real life experiences and share the types of good support and activities that are available.
Like many sensitive health issues, one of the biggest barriers to advancing mental health in Fiji is stigma, which is still very real and pervasive in society.
Whether it is in the form attitudes and perceptions of others or self-stigma, this slur may contribute to people not seeking mental health support early and or cause them to not talk through mental health challenges and issues.
According to the Ministry of Health, about 75 per cent of persons with mental illness report that they have experienced stigma.
Counsellor and mental health advocate Selina Kuruleca believes Fiji needs more awareness and education on mental health as a public health and rights issue.
“Mental health is a public health issue and with more awareness, there should be less stigma, which in turn will enable people to seek help when they feel stuck or pressured, instead of waiting for matters to get worse,” Selina Kuruleca told Ministry of Information bi-monthly, Fiji Focus.
“Everyone needs some form of help at any given time. There is no health without mental health.”
Alluding to the issue of mental illness as a mental health issue, Dr Odille Chang, the Head of School of Medical Sciences at the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, says mental disorder needs having strong support systems.
“At any one time, 10 per cent of the population will have a mental disorder and the lifetime prevalence of mental disorders is 25 per cent.”
“Mental illness does not discriminate. It is an equal opportunity disorder that affects all countries, ages, races, genders, sexes, urban and rural populations and all socioeconomic classes. No one is immune.”
The theme for World Mental Health Day 2019 is Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention.
This is timely indeed as we continue to look for effective solutions to address the prevalence of suicides, especially among our youths.
Global statistics show that every 40 seconds, someone loses his or her life to suicide.
Ministry of Health statistic on suicides put it at an average of 110 deaths annually.
According to Lifeline Fiji, touted the country’s only organisation primarily focused on suicide prevention, intervention and response, it is estimated that every 36 hours someone attempts suicide in Fiji.
Lifeline also operates a 24/7 toll free crisis helpline. It assisted more than 5080 people in 2016, 40 per cent whom were “at high risk of suicide” while last year alone, 2500 people called on their helpline.
The organisation’s records show suicide is “a silent and growing concern” in Fiji.
It is estimated that for every completed suicide there are 20 attempts made. The youngest person to complete a suicide in Fiji was seven years old.
Lifeline data shows that more men are completing suicide and the age of victims is getting younger with those in the 16 years to 25 years of age being most vulnerable.
The 2019 theme provides a good opportunity to hold public conversation around mental health.
“The theme is a timely one given the high number of suicides in the country. However, suicide prevention is a complex and multifaceted task that includes the participation of a number of stakeholders at all levels of society,” Dr Chang said.
On the issue of youth suicide, Dr Chang said young people need to be empowered and given a supportive and discerning environment.
“It is important that young people have the skills to be resilient in the face of adversity; encourage an environment where it is OK to talk about one’s problems and to seek mental health services if required and that people are aware of the warning signs of mental distress so they can help others.
“We should seek to understand the issues at hand in a non-judgmental and compassionate manner. All too often, suicide is viewed as cowardly, selfish or weakness rather than the culmination of dealing with severely distressing situations, inability to cope and not being able to seek help.”
Another trouble area that needs addressing is the persistent lack of resources.
In Fiji, there are not enough resources, facilities and finances allocated in the national budget and national planning for the promotion of mental health and suicide prevention.
Fiji has signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), however, to date there is little development in ensuring that community mental health services are compliant to the CRPD.
Also, there is a lack of good crisis support for mental health and for individuals who are recovering from suicide.
While mental health in Fiji is not yet where we want it to be, some progress has been made.
But more needs to be done and the onus is on us to push mental health issue as a public health agenda, prick the conscience of those in positions of leadership and build on the strengths of our families, communities, religions and culture.
World Mental Health Day is organised by the World Federation for Mental Health
This year’s day is supported by WHO, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and United for Global Mental Health.