SDG3 Health and Wellbeing: Improving mental health in the Republic of Croatia as a contribution to the UN SDG3
Author: Udruga Životna linija
Action to improve mental health in the Republic of Croatia in 2019 as a contribution to the achievement of the goals of sustainable development of the United Nations
On October 10, 2019, on the World Mental Health Day, the Life Line Association organizes a Gala Evening and a concert to raise awareness about the problem of suicide and depression in the Republic of Croatia. The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) decided this year's World Mental Health Day to focus specifically on the topic of suicide prevention.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a state of wellbeing in which an individual realizes his / her potentials, can deal with normal life stress, can work productively and productively and is able to contribute to the community. Mental health is an integral part of general health that is a prerequisite for quality of life, and very often life itself.
The fact that even physical health is often neglected in spite of obvious physical signs, it alerts us that the situation regarding the issue of mental health is worse. Problems arise when an individual does not notice signs of a disrupted mental health at the beginning, ignoring, negating, avoiding or dealing with inadequate ways, and new problems may arise.
The insufficient care of an individual about his / her mental health continues to underperform the whole health system. All this is rounded up by the rooted prejudices of society, ignorance, ignorance, fear, shame. Such a context generates an attitude of equalizing mental health with mental illness. However, mental health is much more than the absence of mental illness.
It is important to develop awareness of how mental difficulties, greater or lesser, are an integral part of the life of each individual without exception, and that they are normal until they begin to ignore or hide when they become abnormal. Then it becomes clear that in order to create a problem, in no case should it be in any way condemned a person or himself, but should be asked to offer help.
The devastating statistics warn us about the importance of first and foremost preventing, and then making quicker and more effective interventions. Statistics for the Republic of Croatia show that on average almost two people commit suicide each day. On each of these persons a much larger number of suicide attempts have been recorded, and many more are considering suicide. Approximately 75% of all psychiatric hospitalizations are depressed, and the likelihood of developing a major depression throughout life in the general population is up to 25%. According to the World Health Organization, suicide is the third leading cause of death in the age group of 15 to 19 years in the world. The problem of suicide is also a major demographic problem in the Republic of Croatia, as it affects the reduction of the population in conditions of a devastating general demographic situation.
The Life Line Association will organize a Gala Evening and a concert to raise awareness of the problem of suicide and depression in the Republic of Croatia during 2019. The main event will be on October 10, 2019, on the World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated every year on the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) in co-operation with World Health Organization.
Among the members of the Organizing Committee for holding Gala dinners and concerts for spreading awareness about the problem of suicide and depression in the Republic of Croatia are prof. dr. sc. Sladjana Štrkalj-Ivezić, cf. dr. sc. Sanja Martić-Biočina and doc. dr. sc. Ante Bagaric. It is a concert for awareness raising, whereby the money from the tickets would be intended to launch a free phone line to help suicidal people.
The World Federation for Mental Health decided in 2019 that the World Mental Health Day should focus specifically on the topic of suicide prevention. President of the World Federation for Mental Health, dr. Alberto Trimboli, this was expressed in his letter, which can be found at https://wfmh.global/world-mental-health-day-2019/).
It is important to conclude that engaging in suicide and depression prevention and the general mental health care of the population of the Republic of Croatia contributes to the achievement of the goals of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, especially Goal 3 Health and Benefit, which aims to ensure healthy life and Promote welfare for people of all generations (SDG3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages).
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