The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s mental health. Some groups, including health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected. And services for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders have been significantly disrupted.
People with mental health conditions are at a higher risk of dying prematurely. Depression is one of the commonest mental health illnesses is one of the leading causes of disability while suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-old, as per WHO.
The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Mental health in an unequal world’. While the pandemic has affected everyone, people with long-term health conditions, or facing discrimination or parenting on their own are struggling the most and need more support.
World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity to talk about mental health in general, how to break the stigma around it, and the importance of speaking out when struggling with a mental health issue.