Mental health issues becoming more prevalent, offer empathy: Health Minister Nazim

Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has called on the public to offer empathy at this time when it is observed that prevalence of mental health issues are on the rise.

Speaking on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, marked October 10, the Minister said that data indicates that the issues of mental health are becoming increasingly dangerous. Hence, he called on people to be kind to each other, and to offer empathy to those around you.

The theme of this year's Mental Health Day is "Mental Health at Work".

Nazim emphasized that creating a safe, caring work environment for employees is crucial to paving the way for mental wellbeing, and to achieve work related goals. Doing so would increase productivity of companies, while at the same time ensuring that staff mental health is protected.

The Minister pointed out that while wellbeing involves both mental and physical health, too often, the emphasis lies on physical wellbeing alone. Although medical attention is promptly sought for aches and pains or the flu or fever, mental health issues often remain neglected, he said.

He quoted WHO statistics as showing that one out of eight people in the world experience some form of mental health issues. WHO's 2022 STEP Survey also shows that one out of five people experience symptoms of depression.

One out of twenty people are also observed to harbour thoughts of self-harm.

Each year, 12 billion work days are lost due to depression and anxiety, he said.

Nazim stated that mental health issues, when not nipped in the bud, lead to becoming more challenging, and even expensive to treat. Mental health also leaves people unable to work, or attend work regularly, thus negatively affecting the income of families and national productivity as well.

"This results in an annual loss of approximately USD 1 trillion to the global economy."

He stated that dealing with mental health issues is not just a personal responsibility, stating that employers and society as a whole must take preventive action.

Nazim said that it is a goal of this government to provide mental health care services across the atolls as well. As such, under the 'Hafthaa 14' agenda for President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's first 100 days in office, a mental health helpline 1677 was set up, which offers round the clock support.