Research: One in every 8 people suffers from mental health issues

Dr. Yavuz Yılmaz, a faculty member at the Department of Mental Health and Diseases at Sivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine, made statements on the occasion of World Mental Health Day.

Stating that October 10 has been celebrated as World Mental Health Day since 1992, Yılmaz said, “It has been celebrated every year on October 10 since 1992 with the aim of increasing awareness and understanding of mental health and illnesses in society.

Within the framework of World Mental Health Day activities, the goals are to make the voices of individuals experiencing mental health problems heard, to create awareness in society regarding mental health issues, to prevent stigmatization, and to contribute to the prevention and treatment of mental health problems," he said.

'FOR GOOD MENTAL HEALTH...'

Pointing out that mental health is a fundamental human right for people, Yılmaz said, “Whoever they are and wherever they are, everyone has the right to the highest attainable standard of mental health. This right includes the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and quality care, and the right to liberty, independence, and inclusion in society.

Good mental health is vital for our general health and well-being. Globally, one in every eight people lives with mental health problems. This situation also affects individuals' physical health, economic well-being, and their communication with other people," he said.

Yılmaz continued his words as follows:

"Furthermore, mental health problems are emerging as an increasingly significant issue, especially among adolescents and young people. This picture reveals that mental health needs to be prioritized more than ever. Having mental health problems should never be a reason to deprive a person of their human rights or to exclude them from decisions regarding their own health.

Nevertheless, all over the world, people with mental health problems continue to be subjected to a wide variety of human rights violations. Many are excluded from social life, while many others cannot access the mental health services they need or can only access services that violate their human rights.

No one should be deprived of mental health services. It is of great importance that urgent measures be taken worldwide to protect and improve mental health so that everyone can benefit from this universal right and access the quality mental health services they need," he stated.