Introduction
A mental health program consists of scheduling events, presentations, and activities for a community with an aim of bringing about a positive change in the status of mental health of the individuals of that community. The main objective of a mental health program should be to make sure that all individuals gain an awareness of the importance of mental health in general, information about the most common mental illnesses along with their causes, signs and symptoms, prevention, management and treatment. An effective mental health program should also make available efficient and cost-effective services that can assess the mental health status of individuals and provide help and support to those to need it.
History
Every health program is initiated in order to lower the burden of certain illnesses that affect a community. Mental illnesses are prevalent all around a world and only recently did the masses begin to become aware of these. However, there is still a huge part of the global population that remains unaware. Many people afflicted with mental disorders that can be treated easily remain undiagnosed. Many do not seek treatment and help due to myths and stigmata attached to mental illnesses. These people and their families suffer from undue stress that greatly reduces their quality of life. The World Health Organization adopted a new resolution at the thirteenth executive board meeting which aims to develop a strong mental health action plan that urges all countries to address mental health.
Features
To start a mental health program, as a team of several individuals or as a larger organization, you must first decide upon the population you are going to cover. The length of period for which the program will be run, the money that will be invested, the sources, and the goals must also be penned down. Meetings should be held to perfect the events and presentations. Before the program is actually started, sufficient promotion should be done so that the public becomes involved. After all, the involvement of the people is necessary for the mental health program to be a success. All medical and health facilities and organizations should be urged to be involved as well. Separate programs for the medical health professionals should be held in which they are equipped with skills and knowledge regarding mental health issues. These skills involve detailed history taking of all patients so as to not let any psychiatric case go undiagnosed, knowledge of early interventions, management therapies that include both medications as well as counselling. The public should also be made to attend seminars that teaches them the value of seeking medical help, caring for a person who is mentally unwell, and how a family can support each other to prevent development of mental disorders.
Tips and comments
Abnormal behaviour, distress, and disability often point towards development of psychological patterns associated with mental disorders. More than one in three persons experience some form of mental illness at least once in their lifetime. Peer and family support as well as self-help is beneficial.Self-help includes meditation and calming exercises. Finding out the cause helps in curing the illness. If curing it is difficult then management includes psychotherapy, medications, and alternative medicine. Improving the mental health of individuals, families and couples is important for the prosperity and productivity of a community and last but not the least, mental health programs should have competent volunteers and social workers who are qualified to work for the betterment of the mental status society.
