Let’s imagine a world in which mental health is valued, promoted, and protected – where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy the very best mental health. This October, the goal of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the planet and promote action to move the needle. That’s not to say that mental health hasn’t transformed itself over the past several decades – it has – and that trajectory has increased dramatically over the past few years.

That said, it has been established that globally, one in four people will require mental health care in their lives and that depression among youth has risen from 5.9% to 8.2% since 2012. However, things are moving in the right direction. Surveys show that from 2017 to 2019 alone, the amount of people that feel comfortable talking about their mental illness has increased from 66% to 71%. In addition, people willing to tell friends that they are dealing with mental illness increased from 34% to 41%, while the number of people that were reluctant to seek treatment decreased from 50% to 46%. Considering that mental disorders have been historically neglected (and are on the rise), this data is worth celebrating – along with World Mental Health Day.

This important event was created by the deputy secretary-general of the World Federation of Mental Health, Richard Hunter, in 1992. The broad objective at the time was to advocate for mental health as a whole – the world was struggling with issues ranging from overall ignorance as to what mental health actually is, to inhumane treatment of individuals suffering from mental health issues – and look how far we have come.

While the stigma around mental health has always been a barrier to getting timely and compassionate treatment, (which has led to isolation for people experiencing this type of illness) this is changing – for the better. But there is still a long way to go and recognizing World Mental Health Day supports the goal of making mental health and well-being for all a global priority. Over recent years, awareness of mental health and the role that it plays in overall wellness has sharpened into focus. We’ve come to recognize the interconnectivity between brain function and body function, and the healthcare industry has made huge advancements in identifying and treating a range of mental illnesses. The positive shift in attitude toward mental illness by the public has further advanced the prospect of recovery for those living with it.

As one of the leading healthcare staffing agencies, Advanced Home Care Solutions is proud to be an advocate for the advancement of mental health support. Our skilled healthcare teams are experienced in recognizing the significant role that mental health plays in overall wellness and are committed to acting in the best interests of those who are impacted by it.

Let’s all advocate today and every day. Happy World Mental Health Day and remember to put your own oxygen mask on first so that you can support those around you, and live a fulfilling, meaningful life.