The World Mental Health Day is to be observed on 10 October under the theme “Living with Schizophrenia”. The first observation of the World Mental Health Day was in 1992 as per an initiative from the World Federation for Mental Health, an international mental health organization including members and partners from more than 150 countries.
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, behaves, expresses his feelings, and sees facts and mutual relations with those surrounding him. Out of 1,000 adults worldwide, seven people suffer schizophrenia, mostly within the age group of 15-35 years old.
Facts about Schizophrenia:
- Schizophrenia affects about 24 million persons worldwide.
- Schizophrenia is a treatable psychiatric disease.
- The treatment is more effective in the early stages of the diseases.
- More than 50% of the persons with Schizophrenia are not receiving the appropriate health care.
- 90% of people with untreated Schizophrenia are located in the developing countries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has carried out many pilot programs in a few developing countries, which have demonstrated feasibility of providing health care for people with Schizophrenia, including the following:
Providing appropriate training for the primary health care staff.
Providing essential medicines.
Enhancing the role of families in the home care for Schizophrenia patients.
Promoting health awareness among public education students to reduce stigma and discrimination against the Schizophrenia patients.
Internationally Approved Date: October 10th, 2014
Locally Approved Date: Dhul Hijjah 16th, 1435H
Theme: Living with Schizophrenia
Targeted Group:
- Schizophrenia patients
- Health associations specialized in mental diseases
- Health decision makers
- Physicians and health practitioners
- Social and mental institutions
- The public
Objectives and General Messages:
Shedding light on the mental issues of patients with Schizophrenia around the world.
Raising public awareness on the mental health for patients with Schizophrenia.
Highlighting the issue of Schizophrenia and its implications.
Providing an opportunity for the exchange of researches, experiments and expertise to help support the mental health for all people, especially for the Schizophrenia patients.
Stimulating the role of the psychiatric and social associations as well as rehabilitation centers to support the patients with Schizophrenia.
Increasing awareness about the role of the community and family in supporting the patients with Schizophrenia.
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