Health Days 2017

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World Mental Health Day

Introduction:

This year, World Mental Health Day focuses on mental health at the workplace, as mental health is considered an important and complementary element of public health. An individual’s mental health level, at various stages of his life, can be determined by surrounding social, mental and vital factors.

The day provides an opportunity for mental health employees to talk about stressful work experiences expressed by their patients, and what they need to do to make mental health care accessible to all people across the world.

Facts:

Around 20% of the world's children and adolescents have mental disorders or problems.
Mental disorders are one of the most important risk factors for other diseases such as irritable bowel and heart diseases.
Poor mental health is associated with rapid social change, stressful work conditions, gender discrimination, social exclusion, unhealthy lifestyle, violence and rights violations.
Reluctance to seek health care or treatment by mental health patients is attributed to social stigma attached to mental ill health.
A negative working environment may lead to physical and mental health problems.

Objectives:

Promote awareness on mental health problems around the world.
Protect mental health by reducing work-related risk factors.
Focus on depression at workplace and its impact on productivity.
Early detection of depression symptoms at workplace.
Provide mental health services, as well as comprehensive and integrated social care in different community environments.
Implement preventive health promotion strategies.
Boost mental health information, evidence and research systems.
Activate and mobilize efforts in support of better mental health.

Official Date: