ISEP joins the initiative of ISEP Clínic and celebrates World Mental Health Day by giving away silver solidarity ribbons. This symbol represents children with disabilities and people with mental illnesses such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders.
Our objective is to train professionals capable of improving the quality of life of those suffering from a disability or mental illness, as well as to promote social awareness regarding mental health problems and the integration of people who suffer from them, given that mental disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide.
The concept of ‘mental health’ as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) goes beyond a specific disorder: it is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It is related to the promotion of well-being, the prevention of mental disorders, and the treatment and rehabilitation of affected individuals.
It is estimated that approximately 20% of children worldwide have mental health problems. Half of these disorders manifest before the age of 14, and correct early intervention could greatly improve their quality of life and future development. However, the regions of the world with the highest percentages of child population are those with the fewest health resources. The latest data provided by the WHO indicate that most of these countries have only one child psychiatrist per million people. Furthermore, many of these countries are at war or suffer repeated natural disasters, two elements that greatly affect the mental health of their populations; the incidence of mental disorders tends to double after emergency situations, undermining the mental health and psychosocial well-being of victims, especially children.
The World Health Organization proposes “Living with schizophrenia” as the central theme for 2014.
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder, characterized by profound alterations in thought and language that affect perception and sense of self. It often includes psychotic experiences, such as auditory voices or delusions. It generally begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. Most cases can be treated, and affected individuals can lead productive lives and integrate into society.
Even today, the stigmatization and discrimination suffered by mentally ill individuals and their families are widespread and deter patients from seeking mental health services. On one hand, the ignorance of the patients themselves or their families makes them believe that no treatment is possible or they don’t even identify that they have a problem, simply confusing mental illness with low intelligence or character flaws. This stigmatization can lead to mistreatment, rejection, isolation… ISEP and ISEP Clínic fight daily to promote social awareness regarding mental health problems and the integration of people who suffer from them. Many effective treatments currently exist that allow a person with mental health problems to live normally.