Every October 10 is World Mental Health Day. World Mental Health Day (first celebrated in 1992) marks a time to educate and raise awareness of mental illness and its effects on people’s lives worldwide.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in the United States, statistics suggest that, if unchecked, depression could become the leading illness in the world by 2030.

It should then be clear that mental health (and conversely mental illness) is serious business and affects more people than most of us are aware of.

Unfortunately a problem shared in the Caribbean is a lack of general information that is readily available and easily accessible to the public, about mental health and various mental illnesses, but steps have been taken locally in recent times to change that.

Mental illness is no respecter of persons; it’s not an uncommon struggle in Jamaica and one will find persons of varying ages and backgrounds affected by it.

Ultimately it is important that all citizens play their part while looking to heads of government and policy-makers to make necessary expedient changes to support those who grapple with diagnosed mental illnesses. In the quest for total health and wellness, mental health must not be left out.

While exercising and changing your diet, make time to check on the emotional and mental state you’re in and that of others. Let’s be well together.