Breaking the Silence: A Call for Compassion and Connection on World Mental Health Day
Abstract
October 10th is World Mental Health Day, and we confront a global issue that continues to affect millions mental illness. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 in 8 people, or 970 million individuals worldwide, live with a mental health disorder, with anxiety and depression being the most prevalent conditions.1 Yet, despite the growing awareness, the stigma surrounding mental health often prevents those in need from seeking help. It’s time we shift our focus beyond statistics and recognize the individuals behind these numbers each with a story, a struggle, and a need for compassion.
References
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https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/health-happiness/from-loneliness-to-social-connection-lessons-from-research-and-a-global-pandemic-a-seminar-with-dr-julianne-holt-lunstad/#:~:text=The%20study%20found%20that%20among,and%20living%20alone%20by%2032%25.
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9. Wang, J., Mann, F., Lloyd-Evans, B. et al. Associations between loneliness and perceived social support and outcomes of mental health problems: a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry 2018; 18:156.
10. Cregg DR, Cheavens JS. Healing through helping: an experimental investigation of kindness, social activities, and reappraisal as well-being interventions. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 18(6), 924–941.
2. Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination against people with Mental Health Illness. American Psychiatry Association [Internet]. Updated March 2024. Available from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination
3. Mental Health by the Numbers. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)[Internet]. Updated April 2023. Available from https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-
numbers/#:~:text=22.8%25%20of%20U.S.%20adults%20experienced,2021%20(14.1%20million%20people).
4. Mental Health and Neurological Disorders. NCD Alliance [Internet]. Updated Feb 18, 2022. Available from https://ncdalliance.org/why-ncds/ncds/mental-health-and-neurological-
disorders#:~:text=In%20low%2D%20and%20middle%2Dincome%20countries%2C%20an%20estimated%2076,violations%2C%20discrimination%2C%20and%20stigma.
5. Sagar R, et al. India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative Mental Disorders Collaborators. The burden of mental disorders across the states of India: The Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2017. The Lancet Psychiatry, Feb 2000; 7(2): 148 – 161.
6. Holt-Lunstad J. From Loneliness to Social Connection: Lessons from Research and a Global Pandemic A Seminar. Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness; Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health [Internet]. October 11, 2023 . Available from
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/health-happiness/from-loneliness-to-social-connection-lessons-from-research-and-a-global-pandemic-a-seminar-with-dr-julianne-holt-lunstad/#:~:text=The%20study%20found%20that%20among,and%20living%20alone%20by%2032%25.
7. Mental Health at Work Report 2023. Mind Share Partners [Internet]. Available from https://www.mindsharepartners.org/mentalhealthatworkreport-2023
8. Scardera S, Perret LC, Ouellet-Morin I, et al. Association of Social Support During Adolescence with Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation in Young Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(12):e2027491.
9. Wang, J., Mann, F., Lloyd-Evans, B. et al. Associations between loneliness and perceived social support and outcomes of mental health problems: a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry 2018; 18:156.
10. Cregg DR, Cheavens JS. Healing through helping: an experimental investigation of kindness, social activities, and reappraisal as well-being interventions. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 18(6), 924–941.
Published
2024-11-16
How to Cite
Dr. Shuchin Bajaj. (2024). Breaking the Silence: A Call for Compassion and Connection on World Mental Health Day. The Indian Practitioner, 77(10), 11-12. Retrieved from https://articles.theindianpractitioner.com/index.php/tip/article/view/1797
Section
Special Article
