Advocacy for Mental Health and Human Rights (AMHHR) is a grass root mental health advocacy charity dedicated to the eradication of mental health stigma/discrimination and to the improvement of the quality of life of all whose lives are affected by mental illness.
On the 10th October 2022 the AMHHR celebrated world mental health day 2022 and the theme is-“Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority”.
In 2021, at the Global Summit, the WHO Secretary-General stated that “Governments Must Prioritize Mental Health”, Underscoring Two Thirds of People in Developing Countries Receive No Treatment. He further noted that we are in the middle of a growing global mental health crisis and that in low- and middle-income countries; more than 75 per cent of people with mental health conditions receive no treatment whatsoever.
Governments spend an average of just over 2 per cent of their health budgets on mental health and people with mental health conditions are often subjected to coercion, poor living conditions, neglect, violence and abuse.
In response to the the WHO Secretary General’s statement, Advocacy for Mental Health Human Rights calls on the government of Sierra Leone to make mental health a national priority and put systems and structures in place that promote the mental health of its citizens in the workplace, at schools, at local and community levels. It is a fact that workplaces with high levels of mental wellbeing are more productive and young people with good mental health perform better athletically, academically and socially.
The government’s initial assurance that mental health intervention is within its overarching human capital development priority was welcoming.
However, we still have systematic issues of poor mental health services around the country, with limited access for the majority.
There are still limited numbers of mental health nurses /professionals and an estimated treatment gap of 98% for severe mental health problems for a population which has experienced series of traumatic events within short periods of time.
We are still waiting for legislation that covers the assessment, treatment and rights of people with a mental health disorder.
We are still lacking the provision of comprehensive, integrated mental health and social services in our local communities.
Mental health is important at every stage of our lives, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. It includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
Generally, our body, mind, and spirit rely on our mental health as it enables us to
• Be physically healthy.
• Have good relationships and build positive social networks.
• Make meaningful contributions to our communities and society.
• Work productively.
• Realize our full potential.
• Cope with the stresses of life.
If you can’t take care of yourself, it affects your relationships and physical health.
One in four of us will be affected by mental illness at some point in our life and statistically, 9 out of 10 people say that their problems are made worse by experiencing stigma and discrimination.
We need to have government strategies for promotion and prevention; and strengthened information systems around mental health and well-being.
We are also reaching out to all mental health advocacy groups and non-governmental organizations, to work in partnership to raise awareness and make Mental Health and wellbeing a national priority and improve mental health conditions in the country.
To work collaboratively to help increase the fight against discrimination and stigmatization of people with mental health problems and their families, as the stigma and misconceptions associated with mental and psychosocial problems often result in people not being accepted in their communities.
Stigma and discrimination also lead to the worst forms of human rights abuses, including torture in their homes, communities and even in the hospitals set up to care for them.
Everyone has a right to quality treatment for mental health conditions that fully respects their human rights.
We end by once again appealing to the government of Sierra Leone to strive hard in improving and promoting mental health care in the country as it is a means of unlocking the country’s development potential.
There is no health without mental health.
