News from Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)
 
Udupi, Oct 11:  The World Mental Health Day ’08 campaign will focus on making mental health a global priority—scaling up services through citizen advocacy and action. This year’s theme will address the continuing need to make mental health issues a global priority and to stress the all too-often neglected fact that mental health is an international concern, said a press press released issued by Manipal University.

Mental disorders do not choose their victims; they occur in all cultures and at all stages of the life span. The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) established World Mental Health Day in 1992; it is the only annual global awareness campaign to focus attention on specific aspects of mental health and mental disorders, and is now commemorated in over 100 countries on October 10 through local, regional, and national commemorative events and programmess, added the release.
 
This year’s campaign will seek to address the existing gaps in mental health services; the persistent stigma and discrimination that acts as a barrier to accessing services; the inequitable levels of funding by most governments for mental health services and wellness promotion; and the need to better integrate mental health into the general public health system.