Today, October 10 the Autistic Realm Australia is prioritising our mental health by taking time out on World Mental Health Day.
The international theme for 2021 is Mental health care for all: let's make it a reality.
The pandemic highlighted the inequality of access to mental health services for some of the world’s most vulnerable citizens. In the United Nations Policy Brief: Covid-19 and the need for action on mental health recommendations were made that mental health and social care for people with severe mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities must be part of the definition of essential services in all countries. [1]
And that priority attention needs to be given to protecting and promoting the human rights of people with severe mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities; their rights are frequently neglected in major emergencies. [2]
Unlike Natural Disasters which usually centre around a specific section of the population, the Pandemic has affected either directly or indirectly every citizen of the world and over a prolonged period.
Country wide lockdowns, self-isolation, physical distancing, unemployment, and home-schooling have impacted mental health and placed significant strain on families, relationships and our most vulnerable.
Never has it been so important to educate the community about mental health. With 1 in 5[3] Australians having a mental health condition we need to encourage conversation to reduce the stigma that comes with mental health. We need to know what the signs are especially in the Autistic community where social isolation could be considered usual.
Mental Health Australia has released its own campaign “Look after your Mental Health Australia”.
Head over to LAYMHA (lookafteryourmentalhealthaustralia.org.au) where you can make a mental health promise health and find tips and resources.
[1] RECOMMENDED ACTIONS | UNITED NATIONS POLICY BRIEF: COVID-19 AND THE NEED FOR ACTION ON MENTAL HEALTH 57 WHO & UNICEF, 2020 [2] RECOMMENDED ACTIONS | UNITED NATIONS POLICY BRIEF: COVID-19 AND THE NEED FOR ACTION ON MENTAL HEALTH 58 Weissbecker et al, 2020 [3] The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing Mental health - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (aihw.gov.au)