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Health of the mind amidst financial strife

10 Oct 2022

In this time of great crisis, the majority of ordinary Sri Lankans remain exceedingly frustrated about how the country's economic and social situations have evolved, and there is massive uncertainty about their future. Although mental health issues did not attract the attention of the majority of Sri Lankans before the crisis broke out, now, it is not only an unavoidable issue, but is also one that requires urgent attention.  It is in such a context that the world commemorates World Mental Health Day, which falls today (10). The objective of this day is to raise awareness on mental health issues, and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health, according to the United Nations (UN). Mental health has been a major topic of discussion globally and in Sri Lanka for a long time. While the importance of raising awareness on mental health issues, and most importantly, the importance of promoting and obtaining mental health-related support services, have been discussed at the national level in Sri Lanka, how far Sri Lankans have embraced these aspects is questionable when looking at the meagre number of people that are willing to talk openly about mental health. That is perhaps what proves the simple idea that having in place mental health-related support services is inadequate, and that there should be a friendly environment for the people to feel comfortable about obtaining these services. What is most concerning is, as The Morning reported several times, despite the availability of mental health-related support services, there is a noticeable hesitance in obtaining those services, owing mainly to stigma, discrimination, and the lack of knowledge about the importance of obtaining those services. In this context, it has been obvious for some time that one of the main factors that hindered Sri Lanka from improving and protecting people's mental health was not necessarily the unavailability of mental health-related support services, but the social and traditional ideas that told the people that obtaining mental health services is a reason to be ashamed. In this time of crisis, Sri Lankans have a great deal of work to do as far as people's mental health is concerned. First of all, those providing mental health-related support services have a duty to address stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental health issues, and promoting the available services as ordinary health-related services is the easiest and the best way to commence this duty. The people too have a duty to guide their closed ones dealing with mental health issues, even if it is mere stress caused by economic difficulties, to seek mental health-related support services. Schoolchildren, the elderly that depend on their offsprings or other people, and also breadwinners of families, should receive priority. In addition, policymakers should have the knowledge and willingness to implement mental health services, and not just for the sake of doing so. They should pay more attention to practical aspects of the provision of these services.  At the end of the day, mental health issues are not something to be ashamed of, and that is the simple and most effective message that needs to be disseminated. This is particularly important given the impacts of the economic crisis, which are unlikely to be alleviated anytime soon.  


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