Read the news and comment about it with your teammates.
Then, present it to the
other group.
You can use these questions to guide the conversation: were you aware of this? What do you think about remote treatments and the use of AI? Are authorities doing enough?
The world’s governments are currently dedicating enormous resources to containing
Covid-19 and its mutations. Fortunately, they are succeeding. What is less fortunate is that they are neglecting another pandemic that has been claiming millions of lives each year, as well as disabling thousands more – mental illness.
Pandemics are known to spread rapidly and attack a large number of victims. That’s precisely the case with the current mental health crisis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one billion people suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, isolation, dementia, drug and alcohol use, schizophrenia and eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia), among other problems. In fact, 14.3% of worldwide deaths each year – some 8 million people – can be attributed to mental disorders.
This is a global crisis. Statistics and studies in around the world show similar trends. The Mental Health Million Project is a 2022 report based on surveys of more than 220,000 people in 34 countries. The study shows a decline in mental health across all age and gender groups. It also found that English-speaking countries have the lowest levels of mental well-being and that, in terms of age, the 18-24 age group has the worst mental health of all the groups surveyed.
Unfortunately, a shortage of psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health
professionals is the global norm. According to Project Hope, two thirds of those who need help do not receive it, even though there are effective treatments available. Many lower- income countries have less than one mental health specialist for every 100,000 people.
Fortunately, things are changing. Artificial intelligence and remote treatment via the internet will allow access to the health system for patients currently shut out from it. There are also promising advances in medication and treatments. In many countries, shame is being replaced by activism that encourages transparency and channels fresh resources to address these problems.
No problem can be solved until it has been recognized, studied and debated. The mental health pandemic is a crisis that needs to be pulled into the light where it can be examined, analyzed, and, ultimately, cured.
