Mental Health Neglect is Impacting on Lives Everywhere

Increasing Suicide and Substance Use Disorders are contributing to increased death rates among middle-aged white Americans. This is further evidence that the neglect of mental health in the development agenda is negatively impacting on lives in both developing and developed countries.

This is my further effort to encourage all of us who participated in my recent posting on the neglect of mental health in the development agenda to add your piece on the growing evidence of the negative impact on lives in both the developing and developed world. Please let us put together the evidence.

My post about the sustained and unconscionable neglect of mental health got a high response rate and I would like us to continue by as many of us adding our piece of the evidence from various parts of the world.

Even for development instruments such as the MDGs and now the SDGs, there have been total silence on one of the global contributors to injustice, poverty and poor health. Our total neglect of mental health in the development agenda and in our quest to end poverty has been an injustice that we have shown no haste in ending soon.

But everyday, we see the evidence that the continued neglect of mental health in the development agenda is negatively impacting on millions of lives around the world. The evidence is mounting and we need to ensure that people finally pay attention.

The recent study in America that shows clearly a rising death rate among middle age white Americans because of suicide and drug use and the very clear evidence of increased violence among young people are consequences of the global neglect of mental health. The truth is that this will worsen each day. If the statistics of poor mental health and the increasing number of suicide, drug use and violence bother us today, as it should, then the near future is even more bleak.

Mental disorders, neurological diseases and substance use disorders account for 10.4% of DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years), 2.3% of YLLs (years lost to premature mortality) and 28% YLD (Years Lost to Disability). There is a rising tide of suicide around the world, a troubling increase in substance use disorders, a bewildering increase in neurological disorders and the attending increase in violence.

Let us join in demanding greater attention, more investment and research and greater integration in HEALTH FOR ALL. This is a missing link in the fight against poverty and in the fight for justice.

We must tell the truth and listen to the truth, not matter who is telling it. We must pursue justice, for everyone, everywhere, no matter what it costs. The truth is not the truth and justice will never be a truth unless we recognize that mental health is very much a part of the Right to Health, very much a part of Justice for ALL and very much a part of HUMAN DIGNITY AND FREEDOM.

Let justice begin with us.