Globally, experts are alarmed that mental disorders account for at least 18% of global disease burden, and the associated annual global costs are projected to be US$6 trillion by 2030. At least 18% of the proportion of the global burden of disease is due to mental disorders and self-harm, as measured by years lived with disability, although even this proportion is an underestimate by more than a third.
In a closely connected country like The Gambia, it has become a proven fact that we are all affected directly or indirectly. Being a disease that calls for greater attention, mental health in most cases is exacerbated by stigma attached to it.
It is high time communities realize that people with such disease conditions are part and parcel of us. Thus, there needs to be that sense of strong community-based focus and use more acceptable terms and be positive towards people with mental health, rather than using old-fashioned terms such as ‘lunatic’ to refer to them.
In our Tuesday’s edition of The Point we published an article in which the National Mental Health Program (NMHP) under the Ministry of Health in collaboration with key partners is validating the newly drafted document of the National Mental Health Policy.
This is in view of the fact that the last Mental Health Policy was validated in 2007 and became outdated. Since then, significant strides have been made in understanding mental health needs and this updated policy reflects current challenges, evidenced-based practices and commitment to equitable and integrated mental healthcare.
In reality the 2007 Mental Health Policy contains some important features aimed at holistically responding to mental health issues in the country. However, in this era of tech and innovation coupled with advances in science there is a need for people to adapt to the growing trend. The 2007 National Mental Health Policy has made some remarkable contributions in terms of ground work, but that implementation showed there exists some critical gaps.
In responding to this need necessitated the need for coming up with a new one that will encompass a wide range of features and to be in tandem with the fast developing world.
Issues relating to Mental health care should be across a wider spectrum. The 2007 policy was indeed a good one but looking at it one would reason that in terms limited mental health areas were materialized, while services are largely centralized leaving regions other regions.
In addition, limited human resources and trained specialized personnel to adequate funding are another area that programme have longed raised alarm. It is said that the programme is facing chronic underfunding with less than 2 percent of the health budget allocated to address its activities. It is high time the government through the Ministry reprioritized this sector if the country is ready to make gains in its battle against mental health challenges. Stigma is another growing phenomenon that many communities are grappling with. Sometimes public reaction and approach especially towards those with mental disorders tend to make their health condition even worse.
There is a need for strong community participation and people should also do away with all forms of discrimination and stereotypes against those affected.