On World Mental Health Day, they anticipate a real epidemic of these types of disorders

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which a person achieves his or her capacities and is able to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and contribute to his community ”. At one point the pandemic has changed each of the aspects that make up this definition; Therefore, it is not surprising that specialists identify increases in cases of mental health disorders in our country, with different levels of severity.

Within the framework of World Mental Health Day, which commemorates this Sunday 10 October, was alerted to the practically epidemic character that disorders of this type have had, as the stress, the anguish, the anxiety Yeah depression, with varying levels of complexity and severity, and the challenges that its approach poses for health systems.

This proposal, led by the Argentine Association of Psychiatrists, includes the awareness campaign entitled Vaccination, Prevention and Control, which they are jointly leading 32 medical societies, with the coordination of the Argentine Chamber of Medicinal Specialties (CAEME); an initiative to promote that good disease management should not be neglected, beyond COVID-19, in this extraordinary context of a pandemic.

A survey conducted by WHO in mid-2020 had already shown that health services for mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders have been significantly disrupted and the pandemic has resulted in a wave of mental health disorders, such as stress, anxiety, anxiety and depression, which affected different groups:

– General population: for fear of contagion, anxiety and financial problems, among others.

– People who live alone: because of the strong isolation they suffered.

– Complex duels: those who could not accompany someone’s last days or send him back as they would have liked.

– Patients cured of COVID-19: with varying levels of physical, psychological and neuropsychiatric sequelae.

– Pre-pandemic diagnostics: those who have presented disorders before and whose treatment has been interrupted or their condition has been exacerbated by the general context.

– Health care workers and, in particular, of mental health: for his tireless and silent work. The aftereffects are expected to last for many years.

“All of these different profiles give us the clue that the pandemic has added and will add a large number of people with mental disorders to a health system that was already at its limit.“recognized the doctor Ricardo Corral, president of the Argentine Association of Psychiatrists (AAP).

In addition, recent studies have shown that, in this complex context, sectors of the population that have less economic resources, housing and education are more at risk of illness and mental illness.

“This new reality represents an opportunity to join forces between the different disciplines related to its approach, in order to prepare for what should be almost an epidemic of demands, and to be able to reach more people with the care they need. .», Expressed the specialist.

In this complex network, everyone has a task to accomplish: doctors in their offices, peripheral health centers, psychiatric departments in general hospitals and specialized hospitals, in addition to all related health professionals – beyond psychiatrists. – such as psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and music therapists, among others.

For this world day, the slogan proposed by the WHO is “Mental health care for all: let’s make it happen”. On this point, the doctor Susana Baldini, medical director of the Argentine Chamber of Medicinal Specialties (CAEME), stressed that “making mental health disorders visible is the first step for all of us as a society to become aware of their relevance and the importance of their diagnosis. appropriate and their overall approach. “

In the same line, Corral warned that “mental disorders should not be reduced to mere” mental illness “, an ambiguous notion which includes any person in difficulty, because it can make invisible the most severe clinical forms of psychological suffering and violate the right of the people concerned to receive help. There is no behavior more stigmatizing than to ignore the existence of a disorder which affects the life of an individual and his environment, by trivializing or by minimizing his suffering ”.

There is scientific evidence that intervening in time, before the first episodes and in an interdisciplinary manner, is an effective strategy to mitigate the effects of disease, potentially reducing the burden of disease and the potential need for hospitalizations.

“Psychiatry practiced today is very different from what existed before the 1950s; The most significant advances have been the recognition of the rights of people with disabilities due to mental illnesses and the proposal of interdisciplinary work based on research with the scientific method that validates the efficacy of therapeutics, both biological treatments and interventions. psychotherapeutic and psychosocial ”, described Dr Corral.

From the diagnosis, depending on the evolution of the images and the stage of treatment in which each patient is, the treating health team will determine, with the patient and his environment, which pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy should be followed, when he is able to reintegrate into different contexts such as social, professional, school or school and when a hospitalization , in the most complex cases.

“The message of hope we want to bring to the community on this World Day is that it is possible to be better. Many disorders can progress favorably with the right approach and follow-up over time. Sometimes the hardest step is getting help and going to the health care professional who is ready to help. From there, it’s a team effort and there is a lot to be done to move forward on the path to a better life, ”they concluded from the Argentinian Association of Psychiatrists.

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