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Our Minds, Our Rights: Championing Mental Health on World Mental Health Day 2023

Caroline Garden


October 10 is observed as World Mental Health Day, a global effort focused on spreading awareness and advocating for mental health concerns worldwide. This year, I stand in solidarity with the World Health Organization (WHO) under the theme: "Our minds, our rights."


In this blog post, we delve into the significance of mental health as a universal human right, the need to combat provider burnout, the importance of empathy, and the impact of world events on our mental well-being. Mental Health as a Universal Right: Mental health is an inalienable human right, as fundamental as any other aspect of our well-being. Regardless of our backgrounds, cultures, or circumstances, every individual has the right to access mental health care and resources. It's a universal right that deserves respect, attention, and care. Breaking the Silence and Stigma: A significant barrier to achieving mental health as a universal right is the pervasive stigma surrounding it. Mental health conditions should not be met with silence, judgment, or discrimination. It's imperative to break the silence and dismantle the stigma so that individuals feel safe and empowered to seek help when needed. Especially at a time of so much world turmoil and upheaval, it is imperative

we look mental health as a universal right and the pervasive stigma surrounding it. Mental health conditions should not be met with silence, judgment, or discrimination. It's essential to break the silence and dismantle the stigma so that individuals feel safe and empowered to seek help when needed. Recognizing the effects of these events on mental health and providing appropriate support is essential to uphold mental health as a universal right. Supporting "Our Minds, Our Rights": On this World Mental Health Day, and in alignment with the WHO's theme, here are some ways we can support mental health as a universal human right while addressing provider burnout, practicing empathy, and acknowledging the impact of world events:

  1. Educate and Advocate: Learn about mental health, share knowledge, and advocate for policies that prioritize mental health care and support for both individuals and providers. Even now when we say mental health the immediate connotation is " them vs us." People with mental illness and the rest of us. False.

  2. End the Stigma: Think about the last time someone said something vulnerable to you, how did you respond? I think about an example that often plays out in my own mind. When I was 23 I was diagnosed with multiple learning disabilities, so this often plays out in scattered thoughts, typos etc. One day while within a group I shared this as a explanation to my frequent composition chaos. I was met with "LOL" and " girl you're crazy." Whether the idea was that I was joking or they were just generally uncomfortable not knowing how to respond... this spoke volumes to me about them vs. me.

  3. Advocate for Practitioners: Thinking about being an empath in today's world, with all the challenges like pandemics, wars, and hunger, especially for mental health providers who often face burnout. Yes, therapists seek therapy too. But it's essential to realize that mental health is something that concerns us all and is a basic human right.

  4. Practice Empathy: Extend empathy to those around you. Listen actively and without judgment to those who may be struggling. Active listening is powerful communication skill that involves fully engaging with and understanding what someone is saying, without judgment or interruption.

  5. Acknowledge World Events: Recognize the impact of global events on mental health. Advocate for mental health resources and support for individuals and communities affected.

Conclusion: Mental health is an undeniable universal human right, and it is our collective duty to ensure that this right is upheld and respected universally. By breaking the silence, challenging stigma, advocating for change and policy reform, healthcare benefits etc, supporting providers, practicing empathy, and acknowledging the impact of world events, we can create a world where everyone's mental health matters. On this World Mental Health Day and beyond, let's stand together for universal mental health 💚🌍✨ For more information check out https://wmhdofficial.com/






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