Dr Terrance Drew, the prime minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, encourages the people to overcome the social stigma attached to mental illness. He expressed his view on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, celebrated on the 10th of October across world.
He specifically stated that mental health is very important to live a peaceful and stable life. He said mental health includes many aspects, including emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
A person with mental health issues feels dejected and and stressful. Mental illness affects how a person thinks, feel, and act in his daily normal life.
PM Dr Drew also emphasised that mental health plays a significant role at each stage of life, from childhood to adulthood.
At the same time, mental illness is the reason behind many physical health problems, like chronic diseases of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, etc.
PM Dr Drew called for open discussion on mental health and highlighted the role of counselling with medical expert and conversation with close friends and relatives to overcome the issues related to mental health.
It is important to note that individual’s mental health can go through different phases, which depend on many factors. For example, when expectation exceeds the resources and coping ability of a person, then usually he feels mental disturbance. If not cured on time, then it can be turned into a chronic health problem.
According to some surveys, more than one in five persons lives with mental health issues in the USA. Moreover, one among twenty-five lives with serious mental problems like depression in the USA.
PM Dr Terrance Drew also motivated the people on this occasion to remain physically active as sound minds live in sound bodies.
With proper awareness and joint efforts, we can build a world where mental health will not be considered a taboo but normal disease like other health problems, PM Dr Drew added.
He also asked the citizens to commit themself to break the social stigma surrounding mental health to establish a healthy society.