1 in 8 people worldwide live with a mental disorder

The “United against stigma” campaign is an alarm on the topic

According to data published in a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one in eight people in the world live with some type of mental disorder.

Brazil is currently among the countries with the highest prevalence of anxiety disorders, which corresponds to approximately 18.6 million Brazilians, in addition to the 11.5 million who suffer from depression.

To address this global challenge that affects millions of people around the world, the month of October becomes a time of more intense reflection and discussion, as World Mental Health Day is celebrated on the 10th of this month.

Stigmas and labels

Increasing efforts have been made over the past twenty years to understand and reduce stigma. However, as recognized in a 2021 Brazilian Psychiatric Association (ABP) editorial on this topic, even today people with mental disorders continue to suffer from distorted opinions and prejudicial attitudes from various sources.

Stigma against those suffering from mental disorders represents a significant barrier to seeking treatment. Not only that aimed at patients, but also their negative attitudes directed towards the mental illness itself (self-stigma), as well as that aimed at the doctors who treat these pathologies, the psychiatrists.

A 2016 literature review conducted by the American Psychiatric Association highlighted that efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination can work on both an individual and societal level.

The fight against stigma has three powerful tools: information, close contact with people with mental disorders and non-acceptance of prejudicial attitudes.

Expanding the population’s access to information about mental illnesses also plays a key role in reducing stigma. Global awareness campaigns such as World Mental Health Day and Brain Awareness Week provide crucial opportunities to normalize conversations about mental disorders and minimize misinformation and prejudice. There are studies that indicate that knowing or having contact with someone with a mental disorder can help reduce stigma.

Actively listening to and understanding the experiences of people living with mental health disorders is essential to understanding the impact of these conditions and the stigma associated with them.

Campaign to fight stigma

In this context, Lundbeck Brasil, a pharmaceutical company specialized in the research and development of drugs for brain diseases, launched the “United against stigma” campaign with the aim of promoting awareness and education efforts to reduce the stigma associated with diseases mental, as well as how to stimulate political and social reflections related to the topic.

According to the president of the Brazilian multinational, Josiel Florenzano, the company is committed to “mobilizing initiatives and encouraging the debate on mental health and mental illnesses with healthcare workers and the general public, through this campaign”.

Even bigger challenges

According to Juliana Bancovsky, psychiatrist and director of medical and regulatory at Lundbeck Brasil, the stigma associated with mental disorders is one of the biggest challenges for those suffering from mental illnesses around the world.

“Stigma persists in different cultures and contexts, generates suffering and creates significant barriers to treatment. Through the ‘United against stigma’ campaign we want to bring examples of how stigma is rooted in our daily lives and we often don’t even realize it, how we can influence and hinder access to care through the use of words and expressions that directly or indirectly reflect bias,” he said.

Throughout October, Lundbeck will distribute information materials throughout Brazil with data on the impact of mental disorders, will be advertised on its social networks dedicated to sharing scientific information on brain diseases, Progress in Mind Brazil, as well as two filters for Instagram, with the aim of engaging the public.

The doctor adds: “It is interesting to note that only 4.6% of health research focuses on the area of ​​mental health on a global scale. Furthermore, on average, only 2% of health budgets are allocated to mental health. These numbers , according to the World Health Organization, highlight a worrying disparity between needs and investments in mental health. Could this be a form of social stigma? Despite the prevalence of mental health disorders, there remains great ignorance and misinformation on the topic, which contributes to the perpetuation of stigma.”

People who suffer from mental disorders often experience stigmatization from family members, neighbors, health professionals in other areas, and even themselves. In some cases, these people may internalize negative messages and stereotypes, which can cause social isolation and discrimination, affecting access to adequate healthcare, integration into the community and full recovery of their health.

“It is important to minimize stigma and increase awareness about mental health, as well as ensure adequate investment in treatment research and strategies to increase access to healthcare, in order to provide effective support to all those facing problems related to mental health.”, concludes the doctor.

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Source: Terra

Ben

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.