Today, 10 of October 2014, the world commemorates Mental Health Day under the theme” Living a healthy life with Schizophrenia”. Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that affects the way a person thinks, acts, expresses emotions, perceives reality, and relates to other people. A person affected with Schizophrenia speaks in a strange manner and loses contact with reality. The condition usually starts in late adolescence or early adulthood and affects more than 21 million people worldwide. In the African Region, it is estimated that up to 1% of the population suffer from schizophrenia.
There is often a misunderstanding that schizophrenia is untreatable. Such misunderstanding results in stigma and increases physical, psychological and economic burden of the sufferer, caregivers and families.
It is possible for persons with schizophrenia to live a healthy life, if they receive appropriate treatment as early as possible. It is also important that they stop smoking, alcohol abuse and other drugs.
Although countries in the African Region have made some progress in improving mental health care, many challenges remain. Notable among the challenges is the need to invest more in mental health care. Furthermore, mental health should be integrated into primary health care. In addition, there is a need to increase community awareness on how to support individuals with schizophrenia. Therefore, WHO calls on governments to strengthen mental health services that support persons with schizophrenia.
Today as we commemorate the World Mental Health Day, I urge individuals, families and caregivers to reinforce their commitment by taking steps that help detect, treat and prevent schizophrenia.
I call upon governments, development partners, research institutions and civil society to pay more attention and invest adequately in mental health services.
“There is no health without mental health.” I thank you.