Every year up to 30% of the global population suffers from some form of mental disorder, and at least two-thirds of those receive inadequate or no treatment, even in countries with the best resources. What's more, cost-effective treatments exist for most disorders. This year's World Mental Health Day brings attention to one cause for this problem: a lack of cross-cultural understanding.
Observed annually on October 10, World Mental Health Day aims to bring attention to mental health issues worldwide. This year's theme, "Mental health in a changing world: the impact of culture and diversity," is especially geared toward global perspective. The 2007 campaign focuses on the influence of cultural differences upon perception and treatment of mental illness.
Treatment that crosses cultures
Mental and neurological disorders are increasing in prevalence worldwide—according to the World Health Organization, these disorders currently account for 11% of the global disease burden and may rise to nearly 15% by 2020. This fact, paired with the reality of multicultural societies in most countries around the world—one person in 35 is an international migrant—makes cross-cultural understanding of mental health a pressing need.
Cultural competence is especially important in the mental health profession due to widely disparate public perceptions of mental illness. Instances of this disparity include:
- In some cultures, seeking help from mental professionals has much greater stigma than in others
- Mental health is a low priority in some cultures and thus individuals don't put as much effort into finding help as they might with a physical illness
- In some cultures mental illness is accompanied by a greater sense of familial shame
- Cultures differ in coping styles and systems of social support
Awareness of others, awareness of self
Modern training of physicians and other health care providers often incorporates awareness of a patient's cultural background as a potential influence on treatment options. However, the World Federation for Mental Health emphasizes, to be culturally sensitive a provider must also reflect on his or her own world views. Such world views impact how people:
- label and communicate distress;
- explain the causes of mental health problems;
- perceive mental health providers; and
- utilize and respond to mental health treatment.
World Mental Health Day 2007 brings public awareness to these differences, to enhance cultural competence of health care professionals and citizens alike.
RELATED LINKS
2007 World Mental Health Day publication
The Lancet Series on Global Mental Health
WHO: Neurology and Public Health
EarthTrends
