Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Department of Psychiatry,
Jos University Teaching Hospital.
Vice Chairman Nigerian Medical
Association.
Plateau State
Introduction
The World Mental Health Day (10 October) was
established by The World Federation for Mental Health
in 1992 as a way to expand public education, using
annual themes and providing specially prepared
material.
The World Federation for Mental Health was founded in
1948, the same year as the United Nations and the
World Health Organization.
It is the oldest mental health organization in official
relations with the World Health Organization, the United
Nations health agency, and has a long history of
advocacy for improving mental health care, promoting
What do we know?
Forms of Dignity
1. Human Dignity (external): Physical care and respect for the individual.
I was given a room with a bed and linen plus I had people to talk to.
This was in sharp contrast to my first experience of being sectioned...I
was locked in an empty room with no bed or linen but just cold cement
to sleep on.---------Eddie, Uganda
2.Self Dignity (internal): Feeling empowered in the treatment process.
Dr S consulted...considered how I felt before she did anything...listened
to my concerns. I always felt like I was in control of my treatment.--Jenny, UK.
.
The Problem
All too often people with mental disorders and their
families find dignity absent in their dealings with health
care providers and with society at large.
They feel demeaned by the manner in which they are
treated. Health professionals dont have the time
needed to address difficult problems.
Budget problems at the national level impact health and
social care budgets at the local level, making
coordinated care difficult to achieve.
2.THE FRAMEWORK
FOR DIGNITY IN
MENTAL HEALTH
3. PROMOTING DIGNITY
Norwegian Example;
The Norwegian Directorate for Health launched the
National Action Plan Mental Health in School.
The Norwegian Education Act 9a states that all pupils
have the right to a positive physical and psychosocial
environment that promotes health, wellbeing and
learning.
DreamSchool and Zippys Friends are interventions that
connect education and health, when aiming to
strengthen well-being and the psychosocial
environment in school.
It directly addresses schools primary purpose,
motivating students and boosting their sense of
Action Points
Plant Sunflowers, a universal symbol of hope, and post a
Gardens for Hope sign found at www.ifred.org
Engage your community and educational leaders to implement
the Schools for Hope Program, www.schoolsforhope.org
Engage with celebrities and encourage leaders to share their
stories about how they successfully manage and treat their
depression and live successful, meaningful, fulfilling lives.
www.project375.org
advocate for those affected by mental illness .Check
www.worlddignityproject.com and www.globalmentalhealth.org
for more details.
4.INTERVENTIONS TO
SUPPORT
MENTAL HEALTH
DIGNITY
5. TRANSFORMING
SERVICES
- TIME TO ACT
In Summary
Mental Health is an integral part of Health and
there is no health without mental health.
Mental Illnesses are treatable and have
biological, psychological and social causations
and are not as a result of withchcraft or
metaphysical reasons.
There is a role for everyone to play to ensure
that the mentally ill is treated with dignity; The
mentally ill, the family, the government, policy
makers, NGOs, Health workers- primary,
secondary and Mental Health Professionals, the
NETWEALTH CONSULT.
Opposite Mining Quarters, State Low Cost, Rantya. Jos
Plateau State.
netwealth.consult@yahoo.com
Netwealth
Medical Services
Netwealth Centre
for Addiction
Management
& Psychological
Medicine
Netwealth
Consult
Netwealth
Training and
Development
NIPSSConsult's PSLC
Netwealth
Training and
Development
09/10/2015
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