S1 E11: #MentalHealthAwareness - Mental Health in Emergencies

In dialogue with Dr Joseph Wamala

The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

In 2023, the theme for World Mental Health Day is "Mental health is a universal human right. Our Minds, Our Rights" highlighting the importance of promoting and protecting mental health as a fundamental right for all. In South Africa, the entire month of October is dedicated to Mental Health Awareness, focusing not only on public education, but also on combating the stigma and discrimination often faced by individuals with mental illnesses.

In this episode of the WHO South Africa podcast, Dr. Joseph Wamala, the WHO South Africa Emergency Preparedness and Response Lead, walks listeners through the crucial topic of mental health in emergencies, recognizing that mental health is a basic human right for everyone, regardless of their circumstances. Key facts and challenges associated with mental health in emergencies, including the prevalence of common mental disorders like depression and anxiety, particularly in conflict-affected populations are explored.

Dr. Wamala shares insights into how WHO ensures effective emergency responses, including clinical care provided by mental health specialists. The discussion also explores the vital role of community involvement in addressing mental health issues during emergencies.

Listen in on this important aspect of public health and the efforts being made to ensure that everyone can exercise their human rights and access quality mental health care, even in the most challenging circumstances.

This conversation was recorded on 25 October 2023

Connect with WHO South Africa on Social Media: (X (Twitter), Facebook and Instagram

Music: Childhood by Mike Chino https://soundcloud.com/mike-chino Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/childhood_ Music promoted by Audio Library. Magenta Moon (Part II) Linenoise - Magenta Moon - Free Music Archive by Line Noise is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License.