PAHO launches new campaign to curb stigma against people with mental health conditions

Oct 10, 2022 News

Kaieteur News – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) last week launched ‘#DoYourShare’ to support mental health, a campaign that seeks to curb the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health conditions and promotes positive interactions that improve their search for help.

Various studies show that stereotypes, prejudices, and discriminatory behaviors towards people with mental health problems are common. Through messages on social media, using ‘ #DoYourShare,’ people are invited to break the silence, share their stories, and have an open and honest conversation about how one really feel, and thereby, provide mental health support and reduce stigma and discrimination.

“The more we talk about our mental health, the closer we get to reducing the stigma that surrounds it,” said Renato Oliveira e Souza, Chief of PAHO’s Mental Health Unit. “And when the stigma diminishes or disappears, seeking and receiving support becomes more feasible,” he added. Mental health conditions are common around the world and have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a general impact across the population. A study published in ‘The Lancet’ estimates a 35% increase in depressive disorders and a 32% rise in anxiety disorders in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2020, due to the pandemic.

“It is possible for most people to recover from mental health conditions if they receive the necessary care,” Oliveira e Souza said. “For that to happen, health professionals must ensure a safe environment and provide quality, inclusive care that is free of labels,” he added. “PAHO’s campaign is crucial to helping people understand that any of us can face a mental health condition at some point in our life, and that this doesn’t have to block our goals and dreams in life,” said Teacher Sahar Vasquez, who experienced a mental health condition firsthand and is now a member of the Organization’s High-level Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19.

In addition to ending the stigma and discrimination that stand in the way of recovery, PAHO’s campaign urges national authorities to guarantee funding for mental health care, train more professionals in this area, and distribute them appropriately, so that everyone who needs them can access them. People who visit the PAHO website will be able to access videos, infographics, social media cards, and other resources on what they can do to reduce stigma and discrimination, share their story, and support mental health. More than 30 countries in the Region of the Americas have joined the initiative so far, and will carry out various awareness-raising activities.

The campaign was launched on the eve of World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated annually on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world. The day is also an opportunity to mobilize support to improve the mental well-being of the population. Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. Mental health is a basic human right.