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- Ελληνικά
October 10 has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as World Mental Health Day in order to raise awareness and inform the public about mental illnesses and the importance of mental health in general. The theme of this year's World Mental Health Day focuses on mental health as a universal human right.
In modern times it has become clear that good mental health is vital and fully interconnected with overall human health, well-being and quality of life. However, the WHO notes that one in eight people worldwide experience mental disorders and difficulties, which can affect their overall health, communication with others, and their very livelihood. In short, it affects us all and is not a rare condition or something remote. The existence of a mental disorder should under no circumstances be a reason and cause for denial of human rights, discrimination in matters of employment and accessibility to mental health providers, exclusion from decisions related to people's health and stigmatisation. Yet, unfortunately, people with mental health problems experience a wide range of violations of their basic human rights in their daily lives.
It is crucial, both at the state and societal level, to make the changes necessary to fully eliminate such phenomena and discrimination. It is the collective responsibility of the state and the individual responsibility of each of us to handle the issue of mental health with respect, understanding and professionalism. In this context, the Committee for the Supervision and Protection of the Rights of the Mentally Ill, as the statutory body for the defence and safeguarding of the rights of the mentally ill, continues to work and is in frequent contact with all relevant institutions and bodies in order to ensure that mental health is valued, promoted and protected. At the same time, where and when necessary, it takes direct actions and interventions with the ultimate aim of ensuring the right of all to access quality mental health care, with full respect and without discrimination.
Mental health can be protected as a right through legislation but also in conjunction with appropriate state funding, reflecting the importance the state places on the mental health and well-being of its citizens.
Mental health can be protected as a right through legislation but also in conjunction with appropriate state funding, reflecting the importance the state places on the mental health and well-being of its citizens. In this way, services can be adequately organised, developed and staffed, support for health professionals can be strengthened and prevention, information and intervention programmes can be reinforced - steps which will result in an improvement in the quality of services provided. Only in this way can we ensure that mental health and well-being is a right of every human being that is protected and given due respect.
We encourage you to follow and learn about the actions of the WHO and the World Mental Health Organization.
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