FACTS IN THE STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

1.) Around 20% of the world's children and adolescents have mental disorders or problems
About half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14. Similar types of disorders are being reported across cultures.
Neuropsychiatric disorders are among the leading causes of worldwide disability in young people. Yet, regions of the
world with the highest percentage of population under the age of 19 have the poorest level of mental health resources.
Most low- and middle-income countries have only one child psychiatrist for every 1 to 4 million people.

2.) Mental and substance use disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide
About 23% of all years lost because of disability is caused by mental and substance use disorders.

3.) About 900 000 people commit suicide every year
86% of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries. More than half of the people who kill themselves are aged
between 15 and 44. The highest suicide rates are found among men in Eastern European countries. Mental disorders are
one of the most prominent and treatable causes of suicide.

4.) War and disasters have a large impact on mental health and psychosocial well-being
Rates of mental disorder tend to double after emergencies.

5.) Mental disorders are important risk factors for other diseases, as well as unintentional and intentional injury
Mental disorders increase the risk of getting ill from other diseases such as HIV, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and
vice-versa.

6.) Stigma and discrimination against patients and families prevent people from seeking mental health care
Misunderstanding and stigma surrounding mental ill health are widespread. Despite the existence of effective treatments
for mental disorders, there is a belief that they are untreatable or that people with mental disorders are difficult, not
intelligent, or incapable of making decisions. This stigma can lead to abuse, rejection and isolation and exclude people
from health care or support. Within the health system, people are too often treated in institutions which resemble human
warehouses rather than places of healing.

7.) Human rights violations of people with mental and psychosocial disability are routinely reported in most
countries
These include physical restraint, seclusion and denial of basic needs and privacy. Few countries have a legal framework
that adequately protects the rights of people with mental disorders.

8.) Globally, there is huge inequity in the distribution of skilled human resources for mental health
Shortages of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists and social workers are among the main barriers to providing
treatment and care in low- and middle-income countries. Low-income countries have 0.05 psychiatrists and 0.42 nurses
per 100 000 people. The rate of psychiatrists in high income countries is 170 times greater and for nurses is 70 times
greater.

9.) There are 5 key barriers to increasing mental health services availability
In order to increase the availability of mental health services, there are 5 key barriers that need to be overcome: the
absence of mental health from the public health agenda and the implications for funding; the current organization of
mental health services; lack of integration within primary care; inadequate human resources for mental health; and lack of
public mental health leadership.

10.) Financial resources to increase services are relatively modest
Governments, donors and groups representing mental health service users and their families need to work together to
increase mental health services, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The financial resources needed are
relatively modest: US$ 2 per capita per year in low-income countries and US$ 3-4 in lower middle-income countries.








I. BACKGROUNDER

Considering the fact on the state of mental health in the Philippines now a day, lack of awareness and
information of mental wellness and the role mental health issues of the society is said to be the least concern
of the government agency and every individual. Although there are numerous programs performing and
rendering services regarding mental health, Expressing their support to the most potential and realistic way of
mental health care in the country, there are few, if not none at all are about mental health. In fact, mental
illness is the third most common form of disability in the Philippines, according to a National Statistics Office
survey conducted in 2001.

In the last few years, the numbers of various types of mental illnesses has been escalating, inflicting cases of
crime and violence, rising reports of bullying and mounting of drug users is force out. One way or another, the
major goal of raising mental health programs and services is by increasing the awareness and providing
information through substantial influence of mental health advocacy.

Advocacy is an important means and tool of raising consciousness and responsiveness on the function of
mental health problem and ensuring that mental health is on the nation programme and every human being
rights to be recognize.

II. RATIONALE

The mental health is a right advocacy movement is
growing in different country. It comprises of a diverse
collection of organizations and people with various
agendas. Although many groups join together to work in
coalitions or to achieve common goals, they do not
necessarily act as a united frontage. In several countries,
advocacy initiatives in favour of mental health and persons
with mental disorders are supported and, in some cases,
carried out by governments, ministries of health, states and
provinces.

In many developing countries, mental health advocacy groups have not yet been formed or are in their
infancy. There is potential for rapid development, particularly because costs are relatively low, and because
social support and solidarity are often highly valued. Development depends, to some extent, on technical
assistance and financial support from both public and private sources. Philippine Mental Health Advocacy
(PMHA) Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija Chapter, through its Mental Health Advocate partners, has played a
significant role in supporting mental health all over the world in mental health advocacy.

III. OBJECTIVE:

To increase the awareness of the Filipino towards responsible Mental Health advocate with strong
commitment in promoting state of mental health in family, community and thyself.

IV. SIGNIFICANCE

The distinction between mental illness, on the one hand, and lack of awareness in mental health, on the
other, is that the latter is a chronic condition that significantly limits a persons social functions altogether; in
comparison, awareness on mental health can still be present on every individual basis and can lead to
considerable and significant improvement and development.

Advocacy began with attempts to
reduce stigma and promote the rights of
people with mental illnesses. More
recently, the concept of advocacy has
been broadened to include promotion,
prevention and less severe mental
infirmity.













V. ELEMENTS OF MENTAL HEALTH RIGHTS
The concept of advocacy contains the following:

V.1.) Mental Health Right Barriers

In most cases and issues, unfortunately, mental health and mental illness are not regarded with
anything like the same importance as physical health. Undoubtedly, they have been largely ignored or
neglected (World Health Organization, 2001a).

Among the issues that have been raised in mental health is a
right advocacy are the following:
i. Right to self-determination and need for information
about mental health;
ii. Violations of human rights of persons with mental
illness;
iii. Stigma associated with mental health, resulting in
exclusion;
iv. Absence of promotion and prevention in schools,
workplaces, and neighbourhoods;
v. Insufficient implementation of mental health policy,
plans, programmes and services.

V.2.) Mental Health is a Right Advocacy Importance:

The emergence of mental health advocacy movements in several countries has helped to change
societys perceptions of persons with mental disorders. Consumers have begun to articulate their own visions
of the services they need. They are increasingly able to make informed decisions about treatment and other
matters in their daily lives. Consumer and family participation in advocacy organizations may also have several
positive outcomes.

VI. How Mental Health is a Right Advocate can support:

By supporting Mental Health is a Right Advocacy activities with groups, individual, nongovernmental
organizations and Governments can provide these organizations with the support required for their
development and empowerment. This support should not be accompanied by conditions that would prevent
occasional criticism and praise of government. The empowerment of assemblage and clientele means that
they are given authority, organize, ability and a sense of capacity building.

Guidelines in Supporting Mental Health is a Right Advocacy:
Easy step begins in raising hand

Step 1: Seek information about mental health.
Step 2: Explain to the people the facts about mental health.
Step 3: Take a pictures of people while raising their hands if they believe Mental Health is a Right.
Step 4: Post the pictures in the official Facebook account of the Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc.
(facebook.com/pmhaccne)




The principles of advocacy can be
applied to anyone whose rights
are ignored or overruled.












Others:

1.) Increase the Awareness.
Grace with presence in Seminar, Training,
Conference, Project, Program, Services and the
like About Mental Health.

2.) Development Project Movement.

There is still no scientific evidence that
advocacy can improve the level of peoples mental
health. However, there are many encouraging projects
and experiences that may empower and provide
support in the mental health.

3.) Create an Action Arrangement:
A. Awareness-raising
B. Information
C. Education
D. Training
E. Mutual help
F. Counselling
G. Mediating
H. Defending
I. Denouncing


























Self-advocacy is the ability of people to
act and advocate on behalf of
themselves and their families.












i. The placing of role of mental health on government agendas and agencies;
ii. Improvement in the policies and practices of government and institutions;
iii. Improvement in programmes, services and government regulations;
iv. Improvement in the promotion of mental health and the prevention of mental illnesses;
v. The protection and promotion of the rights and interests of persons with mental disorders and their
families;

J. Task 1: Develop a database with consumer groups, family groups and nongovernmental organizations.
K. Task 2: Establish a regular flow of information in both directions.
L. Task 3: Publish and distribute a directory of these organizations.
M. Step 2: Invite representatives of consumer groups, family groups and nongovernmental organizations
to participate in activities at the ministry of health.
N. Task 1: Formulate and evaluate policy, plans, programmes, legislation or quality improvement
standards.
O. Task 2: Establish committees, commissions or other boards.
P. Task 3: Take educational initiatives.
Q. Task 4: Conduct activities with the media.
R. Task 5: Organize public events in order to raise awareness.

Advocacy is one of
the 11 areas for action in
the development of a mental
health policy.
Several actions have
typically been associated
with advocacy

The advocacy movement
had its origins in attempts
to support vulnerable
groups in society.
The principles of advocacy
can be applied to anyone
whose rights are ignored
or overruled.
Self-advocacy is the ability
of people to act and advocate
on behalf of themselves
and their families.
Advocacy also attempts
to achieve changes in the
sociopolitical environment
in order to promote and
protect mental health.