Dear Editor,

October 10 is recognised as World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human Right’.

The primary objective of the annual World Mental Health Day is to promote good mental health and empower mental health advocacy and actions. I believe this year’s theme is inspired by the inequities and social insensitivity which are endemic to the lives of people living with mental illness.

This year I see a lot more awareness efforts than in previous years, which suggest that at long last there is growing national recognition and acceptance that discrimination against mentally ill people is a human rights violation and a serious obstacle towards building a kind and gentle society that caters to the fair treatment of all people. Discrimination against the community of the mentally ill is prevalent in our society and has implications for national development.

Discrimination imposes large-scale cost to those affected: the individual, the family, the community, and the country. When mentally ill people who are qualified and capable of working are discriminated against, it diminishes their autonomy and self-worth. It robs them of the ability to feel like a contributing member of the society. The net result is an over dependence on social programmes and family members.

Acknowledging the presence and seriousness of discrimination is a key component of an awareness effort. The activities centred around Mental Health Week should seek to raise awareness through a combination of education, understanding, and new attitude. We must broaden our views about mental health. We must help the public and employers learn the tools they need to end discrimination and expand opportunities for the community of the mentally ill so that the scandalous rates of joblessness, homelessness, and spouseless living can be significantly reduced among the mentally ill population.

As a mental health patient for over 25 years I have seen and experienced the side effects of a discriminatory society. Addressing the systemic discrimination is a win-win situation for society and it is an important strategy in lifting the social standing of the community of the mentally ill. Empowering this demographic will likely increase healthy life years, thereby avoiding significant economic losses and social cost.

I am calling on the citizenry to press for increased investment in mental health services and psychiatric care. Jamaica can do much more for people living with mental illness. I know that we can, and I expect that we will do more! We can improve the human rights environment for the community of the mentally ill through public education, legal and policy reforms to respect, protect, and fulfil the rights of the mentally ill population. This I think is the pathway towards building an equitable and just society free from discrimination.

As we celebrate Mental Health Week and World Mental Health Day, let us advocate for and action in our respective spheres of influence, greater support and understanding of the mentally ill population.

The word is always love for those living with mental illness.

Andre’ Wellington

andrewellington344@yahoo.com