The Next Pandemic: Mental Health

Mental Health. Arguably one of the most important kinds of health.

More than 792 million people world wide have a mental illness. A mental illness is defined as 'a condition which causes serious disorder in a person's behaviour or thinking.' This definition is somewhat simplified, as mental illness can come in many different shapes and sizes. A mental health issue can be something such as problems sleeping, to something like severe depression, which impacts every aspect of your life, with many other things in between.

This leaves the question that is begging to be asked; Why haven't governments, around the world, done more to keep people - with or without a mental health issue - connected to their support network?

Many mental health clinics are offering over the phone consultations to replace what would have been face-to-face, in a pre COVID-19 world, yet some people, most in fact, still prefer to have consultations in a clinic, rather than over the phone. Why? Because with so much of the world being online, it is difficult to forget that behind the voice on the phone, behind the picture of the person on your screen, is a human being. Someone with a life, with hobbies, and even with problems.

The problem with not being able to see people isn't how restricted we are, isn't not being able to leave the house; it's the inability to see other people, friends, and loved ones.

This leaves the question that is begging to be asked; Why haven't governments, around the world, done more to keep people - with or without a mental health issue connected to their support network?

The answer is straightforward. Government priorities are first and foremost concerned with their citizens health, and secondly with the countries economy. These values have worked well for decades and after all, a country cannot have a thriving economy if their citizens are sick or injured.

But today, when so many people suffer from a mental health illness, shouldn't mental health, like physical health, be a priority for governments and politicians?

The United Nations (UN) addressed this issue, claiming that 'decades of neglect and underinvestment in peoples mental health needs have been exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.' They believe that countries need to commit to peoples mental health, and improve the access to resources that could potentially save someones life. The UN believe that now, more than ever, something needs to be done, as the pandemic may cause a global spike in drug abuse, worsening mental health, and potential suicide.

This is seen in Canada, where alcohol use is up 20% for citizens aged from 15 to 49, and in the United States, where mental health is getting poorer, with levels of anxiety and depression at 33%, three times what they were before this pandemic began!

This pandemic is a wake up call for many people around the world, alerting them to how much society needs access to a support network. The same support network that COVID-19 stripped away. Governments are currently working hard to keep countries around the world stable, and their focus is not on mental health right now.

This means it's up to you to step in. Do you have a family member or friend that needs support now more than ever? Call them, send them things, talk to them. Little things during the mess that the world is in right now mean so much. If restrictions allow it, you could meet up with them for coffee, tea, or even a jog.

It is important that the government readjust their focus. In the meantime you're the ones who see them. Help where you can.

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If you want to talk to someone, visit lifeline.org.au, or call 13 11 14 to contact someone over the phone, 24/7.

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Sites Used:

- UN leads call to protect most vulnerable from mental health crisis during and after COVID-19. (2020). Retrieved 28 May 2020, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/05/1063882