This year the theme chosen by the World Health Organization for Mental Health Day is "Investing in mental health". Financial and human resources allocated for mental health are inadequate especially in low resource countries
St. Maarten government has taken a leading role by investing in Mental Health and the Mental Health Foundation is responsible to adequately and efficiently provide psychiatric care to the communities.
Community Health and Prevention has been a priority for 2010 and 2011 nearly all 40 schools on St. Maarten have been visited en information session were given to students and teachers. Monthly Care givers meetings are ongoing, in support of the huge task that family members have in caring for their mentally ill relative. Stake holders are constantly informed of developments and the available support of MHF.
Mental Health refers to a broad array of activities directly or indirectly related to the mental well-being component included in the WHO’s definition of health: "A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease". It is related to the promotion of well-being, the prevention of mental disorders, and the treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by mental disorders.
Facts
1. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide 33% of countries have no mental health budget
2. 1 in 4 people will be affected by a mental disorder at some point in their lives
3. Every 40 seconds someone commits suicide
4. 4 out of 5 people with mental disorders in developing countries don’t receive treatment
5. Almost 50% of all mental disorders begin before the age of 14
6. 2.5 million deaths per year are due to the harmful use of alcohol
7. 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy.
On Thursday evening October 6, 2011 Mental Health Foundation officially signed a cooperation agreement with the Parnassia Bavo group from the Netherlands in the presence of Minister of Health Cornelius de Weever. With this agreement the MHF will receive support from them with regards to:
1. Enhancement of Quality Care
2. Education and Training
3. IT support with regards to on-line Health Information (E-Health)
4. Research
5. Exchange programs
The Parnassia Bavo Group is one of the largest Psychiatric Health care providers in the Netherlands with more than 8000 employees at 180 locations. They provide specialized psychiatric and addiction care have invested considerably in e-health and research in recent years and encourage ambulant Mental Health Care treatment and efficiency management.
On Saturday October 8, 2011 the staff of the Faraja Center for rehabilitation organized a BBQ. The proceeds will go to Christmas celebrations for the clients. All tickets were sold out and the general public showed up enjoyed the food and the music in the dining room and terrace of the New MHF building in Cay Hill
The October month is the 5th anniversary of the Mental Health Foundation, we have come a long way in five years and are aware that there is still so much to be done with regards to Mental Health on St. Maarten