This article from AllAfrica discusses an international health problem that is often overlooked: mental health. Every part of the world is affected by lack of treatment. The article states that in developed countries, only one out of three people who need treatment for mental problems actually receive it; in developing countries, the ratio expands to one out of fifty. These number are outrageous and reprehensible, but several blockades exist that prevent better international mental health. For one, mental health is not the top priority for many countries. A disconnect exists between governments and the reality of the mental health gap.
Mental healthcare is also expensive and cost-effective programs are basically non-existent. Also, if other health concerns are not addressed, such as malnutrition, the mental healthcare is basically useless.
Another factor to consider is how people suffering from mental illnesses are oftentimes ostracized or stigmatized in many areas, whether halfway across the world or in our own home country of the United States. Many people with mental illnesses are discriminated against, and because their illnesses are not treated, they cannot find work or be productive members of society. They become burdens to families and can oftentimes be victims of verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.
Awareness for mental illness needs to be raised so that people who need help can get it. Awareness is a necessary step so that people can rise in society and become as self-sufficient as possible and even bring in a source of income for their family. Research needs to look into more cost-effective ways to rectify this diverse and wide-spread issue.
Mental health is indeed overlooked in developing countries. Physical Health can not even be taken care of and this in itself can lead to low self-esteem and in turn bad mental health. Also, as mentioned in class, the habits of defecating in public can lead to embarrassment and loss in mental health. Mental health is truly important but it costs a lot of resources and money and its common knowledge that Africa lacks both.
ReplyDeleteMental illness is indeed very important, but I still believe physical illness kills more. Physical illness leaves several people in deaths. The only problem is that mental illnesses messes with so many people. I think it would be great to find a way to cure both, but because poverty cannot be solved, there is no way all illnesses will be cured. It will be a long process before both mental and physical illnesses are cured.
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