A report from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) shows the deterioration of mental health during the pandemic in countries on the continent and the difficulty of accessing specialized care
Countries in the Americas have seen an increase of more than 30% in diagnoses of anxiety (32%) AND depression (35%) during the covid-19 pandemic. This is what the report emphasizes A new mental health agenda in the Americas region, released this Friday, 9, from Pan American Health Organization (Oops). The document also informs that 8 out of 10 people have serious health problems mental healthMeaning what, 80%did not have adequate access to necessary care during 2020.
The data led the organization to ask the leaders of every country in the Americas to put mental health at the top of their government agendas. Some of PAHO’s guidelines include integrating mental health into other state policies, investing in research and data collection on the subject, safeguarding the human rights of those suffering from this type of problem, and treating the racism and racial discrimination as factors related to health.
The Pan American Health Organization survey also revealed that depression and anxiety are the third and fourth leading causes of disability in the population of countries living in the Americas, and that alcohol is responsible for 5.5% of all the deaths of people living in the region . Also, according to the entity’s report, the regional age-adjusted suicide rate increased by 17 percent between 2000 and 2019, and the practice “takes the lives of 100,000 people a year.”
According to PAHO, mental health problems have worsened during the covid-19 pandemic due to rising unemployment, financial insecurity, mourning the loss of loved ones, constant worry, plus the sadness of living in one of the biggest health crises. in recent history.
In this scenario, the organization has brought other worrying numbers: in addition to the high percentage of people with serious pathologies, such as psychosis and schizophrenia, who have not been able to receive the treatment necessary for the treatment of their clinical conditions, 65% of the countries has disrupted essential mental health services during the year 2020.
Lack of access to care is linked to low investment in mental health by countries, which does not exceed 3% of the total amount invested in health, according to Brazilian physician Jarbas Barbosa, director of PAHO.
He also said that long-term hospitalizations, the shortage of qualified professionals and the difficulty of accessing services by those living in the most vulnerable regions are also reasons that explain the gap between patients and the treatments they need to undergo.
“Investing in mental health is key to promoting equitable and sustainable human development so that all live in well-being and dignity,” said Epsy Campbell Barr, former vice president of Costa Rica and chair of the High-Level Commission on Mental Health and Covid -19, created by PAHO in 2022. “We must remember that the burden of mental health is not a private struggle, but a public health crisis that deserves urgent and immediate action,” he continued.
OR @DirOPSPAHO called on leaders and decision-makers this Friday (9/06) to ensure that mental health is placed at the top of policy agendas and mainstreamed across all sectors.
?? Read more here https://t.co/5Tombic3CC
— PAHO/WHO Brazil (@OPASOMSBrasil) June 9, 2023
The commission chaired by Epsy Campbell is made up of 17 experts, which include members of government, civil society, academia and people with experience in mental health issues. The group is tasked with providing guidance to PAHO and PAHO member states on how to promote mental health in the region in post-pandemic times.
The report was treated by the experts involved as an important piece in changing the way nations approach the issue. Nestor Mendez, co-chair of the High-Level Commission on Mental Health and Covid-19 and deputy director general of the Organization of American States (OAS), called the material “a beacon of hope”.
“Today we’re not just issuing a report; we’re launching a beacon of hope, a roadmap to change how we view, treat and prioritize mental health in the Americas,” Mendez said. “It is now in our hands to change the way we approach mental health, especially in a global crisis that has deeply affected it,” he added.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
