Due to their nature, mental disorders have proven difficult to diagnose, treat and manage. One likely reason is that the understanding of mental illness is still evolving. However, mental illness is amongst some of the neglected areas in the health sector with not much being done to address the condition. It has become apparent that there is high prevalence through evidence based information and informed reporting.
We therefore encourage developments on research and clinical front to provide greater insight into the mental disorders focusing on people suffering with anxiety, depression, suicide tendencies, trauma, stress, drug and substance abuse, bipolar, schizophrenia and other mental disorders. As a patient wellness advocacy organisation we propose to conduct counselling on the ground and telephonically, workshops and trainings where experts discuss clinical and advocacy efforts that may influence therapy and boost awareness in schools and in communities.
The combination of service provision such as counselling, interventions along with community-based education and support program have proven to be appropriate goals for mental illness prevention in the country thereby fighting stigma associated with these conditions. From a broader perspective, it is also important to ensure that program addressing people’s health needs and concerns take into account societal inputs for developing and implementing program interventions and informational messages. Taking a community-based participatory approach to program implementation will assist in the development of eventual programmatic sustainability and increased program impact.
