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Dominica joins the rest of the world in the observance of World Mental Health Day today.<\/p>\n
Observed every year on October 10, the overall objective is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.<\/p>\n
The day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.<\/p>\n
Consultant Psychiatrist at the Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU), Nadia Wallace, said mental health treatment in the region remains the most ignored and underfunded aspect of emergency response.<\/p>\n
\u201cNatural disasters, traffic accidents, and violence, health and humanitarian crises continue to disturb people\u2019s lives around the globe. Yet, despite the rubble, trauma, and displacement, mental health treatment in the region remains the most ignored and underfunded aspect of emergency response,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
According to her, this year the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) is emphasizing the critical need for readily available, culturally relevant, and long-term mental healthcare in the aftermath of disasters and emergencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 2025 campaign is calling on governments, non-governmental organizations, and health systems to prioritize mental health as one of the most essential components of disaster planning and recovery,\u201d Dr.Wallace stated.<\/p>\n
She continued, \u201cMental health issues in emergencies are not just restricted to post-traumatic stress disorder, as most people may think. Persons may also experience anxiety, depression, grief, substance abuse, and psychological distress which are frequently exacerbated by the loss of residence, income, and community support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Dr. Wallace indicated that children and older adults or persons with pre-existing diseases are among the most vulnerable groups.<\/p>\n
Despite increased awareness, she noted that access to care remains inconsistent.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven more so, during a crisis where mental health resources are sometimes inadequate or non-existent in many areas,\u201d she explained. \u201cWe have challenges like stigma and a lack of skilled workers, which all contribute to the difficulty of providing support.\u201d<\/p>\n
She pointed out that the WFMH is advocating for integration of mental health into emergency response frameworks, \u201ctraining our frontline workers in psychological first aid, community-based approaches that respect local cultures and resilience, and investment in long-term recovery and trauma-informed care.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Wallace emphasized that World Mental Health 2025 is a call to action.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to see mental health as a necessity and not a luxury,\u201d she urged. \u201cAs members of the global community, we must ensure that mental health care is available, accessible, and equitable for all before, during, and after catastrophes and emergencies.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year World Mental Health Day is observed under the theme:\u00a0\u201cAccess to Services \u2013 Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dominica joins the rest of the world in the observance of World Mental Health Day today. Observed every year on October 10, the overall objective is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts…","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":350172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","footnotes":""},"categories":[17,235,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-350171","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-homepage-carousel","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n