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UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moonâ€™s message on World Mental Health Day

10 October 2007 08:21 (UTC +04:00)

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon made a statement on World Mental Health Day, UN representation in Azerbaijan told the APA.
â€œCulture and diversity influence many aspects of mental health. First, culture determines what is seen as â€œnormalâ€ and â€œabnormalâ€ within a given society. Culture also affects how individuals manifest and communicate symptoms, styles of coping, family and community support and willingness to seek treatment. We live in a culturally interconnected world. Formerly distant people now compete for the same resources as they struggle to maintain their own cultures or fit into new ones. Dramatically different languages, religions and cultures coexist in a single country, or even single communities. Dislocation from native communities, rejection by the host community and difficulties in adapting to the cultural norms of the host society are intensely stressful, and can contribute to mental illness in those who are vulnerable. We have a pressing obligation to scale up care and services for mental disorders, especially among the disadvantaged, while stepping up efforts to protect the human rights of those affected. We need to use approaches that incorporate cultural backgrounds and beliefs, address language barriers, and create culturally sensitive forms of dialogue. We need to incorporate cultural sensitivity in training, social policy and service provision.
We must mobilize political will and solidarity in the entire global health community. On this World Mental Health Day, let us rededicate ourselves to this mission,â€ the statement says. /APA/