Mental health disorders remain widely under-reported. More than 1.1 billion people around the world cope with mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, and drug use disorder. Too many individuals are being left to deal with these issues on their own, and we need to change that. We need to stop the shame and stigma associated with mental health problems, and to set a comprehensive mental health agenda that will:
- Increase national and global awareness of mental health issues.
- Promote early diagnosis and intervention.
- Fund institutions and organizations helping people with mental health problems.
- Encourage schools and universities to provide comprehensive mental health services.
- Support suicide prevention programs.
- Build community health centers where behavioral care will be available.
- Enforce mental health policies and implement them in national mental and physical health care system.
- Improve access to housing and job opportunities for individuals with mental health problems.
- Invest in the brain and human behavioral science research.
- Make it easier for individuals with mental health issues to file a complaint when their rights are violated.