World Mental Health Day 2021: Mental Health in an Unequal World

Today is World Mental Health Day, and this year’s theme is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’.

This theme was chosen, because access to mental health services remains unequal across the world.

The World Federation for Mental Health state that between 75-95% of people with mental health conditions in low-income countries are unable to access support services, and it’s not much better in richer countries.

It’s sadly becoming clear that there’s still a lack of respect for human rights across the world for people living with mental health conditions.

It’s also recognised that other areas of inequality such as wealth, ethnicity, age, gender and sexuality further impact mental wellbeing.

Mental health can affect so many people, from various walks of life, and we all need access to the same support.

My Current Story

I’ve had diagnosed mental health conditions for most of my life, and even now I struggle to get support.

As my physical health has deteriorated during the last couple of years, it’s further affected my mental health.

My request to be fully assessed by psychiatrists continues to be rejected, because they diagnosed the condition of Emotional Intensity Disorder a couple of years ago and believe that’s enough.

This is infuriating, because I have many other symptoms that infer the is just a symptom of potentially another condition.

The wellbeing practitioner even said: “Why do you need to know if you have other conditions- how will this improve your life now you’re older?”.

It sounded like she was saying it’s pointless to assess, because there’s nothing that will change by knowing at my age.

Inequality

My argument is that I can’t improve the remainder of my life until I know what conditions I’ve got to work with.

How can I access the best therapies, medications and support if I don’t know what conditions I have?

Despite living in a rich country (UK) I still have limited access to support, unless I were to pay privately, which I can’t afford.

I explained I’ve had suicidal thoughts, depression, high anxiety and a lack of self care, and what support was offered?

A set of 12 lessons on emotional regulation, which they know I’d already completed two years previously.

No therapy, no assessments and not even help with engaging in the community or medication.

Would I have received this same attitude and lack of support if I paid? Or if I was white and middle class? If I was in another country?

The Anti-Burnout Club

The Anti-Burnout Club are honouring WMH Day this year by opening their membership up for free to everyone for the rest of October.

It’s a wellness platform founded in science, which offers compassionate, intuitive, expert-led practices that teach people how to reclaim their sense of wellbeing and happiness.

When you join The Anti-Burnout Club, you’ll get access to:

• Curated monthly wellbeing calendar of challenges and lessons
• 150+ on-demand wellness courses and videos
• A positive, supportive, and uplifting community
• New resources released each month to keep you motivated and encouraged
• 20% off all the Goodies in The Anti-Burnout Shop
• Monthly Random Acts of Kindness

Just sign up before the end of today to get 21 days free.

How to Support WMHD

Many organisations are offering advice on ways we can help make changes to this inequality.

As well as the creators of this day (WFMH) who are linked above, these include:

Mind

Rethink

Mentalhealth.org.uk

World Health Organisation

What’s Your Experience?

It’s so important to share so that each of us feel less alone.

Now is the time for us all to speak out on what needs to improve!

If you have any good or bad experiences of accessing support with mental health, please comment below.

The Anti-Burnout Club provided 3 month’s subscription to the site for me to test out for the purpose of this piece.

No payment was received for this post. All opinions are honest and my own.