Health Minister Mitcy Larue’s message on the occasion of World Health Day |10 October 2015

‘Treat people with mental problems with dignity’

When we fail to treat people with mental health problems with dignity we make it more difficult to ensure that everyone takes steps to safeguard their wellbeing and to seek help, and this can lead to self-stigma, low confidence, low self-esteem, withdrawal and social isolation.

Health Minister Mitcy Larue said this in her message on the occasion of World Health Day, today.

The minister’s message reads:

“Seychelles is joining many countries and organisations all over the world including the World Federation of Mental Health and the World Health Organisation to celebrate International Mental Health Day.

“World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with people who live with mental illness and their families.

“The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10, is ‘Dignity in mental health’. This year, the WHO will be raising awareness of what can be done to ensure that people with mental health conditions can continue to live with dignity, through human rights oriented policy and law, training of health professionals, respect for informed consent to treatment, inclusion in decision-making processes, and public information campaigns.

“An approach to mental illness that incorporates dignity is the reverse of an approach that was widespread for many years – an approach that was based on social stigma and discrimination, and failed to recognise mental disorders as illnesses that deserve the same care and attention as physical illnesses.

“This year’s theme encompasses the contrast between dignity and stigma and the need for parity between physical and mental health care. The campaign will take a broad approach to the topic, considering many related issues such as person-centered care, diversity and social inclusion, and mental health promotion to improve awareness about mental disorders in settings such as schools, employment and elder care.

“Thousands of people with mental health conditions around the world are deprived of their human rights. They are not only discriminated against, stigmatised and marginalised but are also subjected to emotional and physical abuse in both mental health facilities and the community. Poor quality care due to a lack of qualified health professionals and dilapidated facilities lead to further violations.

“By failing to treat people with mental health problems with dignity we make it more difficult to ensure that everyone takes steps to safeguard their wellbeing and to seek help, as it can lead to self-stigma, low confidence, low self-esteem, withdrawal and social isolation.

“In Seychelles, World Mental Health Day provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health and celebrate good practices. The day is a unique opportunity to bring attention to mental health issues and reach the usually unreachable. It is the opportunity to raise awareness within the ‘public-at-large’ constituting all target audiences within and beyond the health sector.

“The theme Dignity in Mental Health has been chosen at the opportune time when with the assistance of theCommonwealth we are in the process of reviewing both our mental health act and mental health policy. We would like to have a mental health legislation which moves away from an emphasis on detention to a model based more properly on human rights and in conformity to other human rights conventions. The human rights approach will be surely reflected in our national mental health strategy.

“It’s true that over the last few years huge progress has been made in the area of mental health in Seychelles. There is a growing move from a medical model of mental illness to a recovery model which values self-determination, peer support and focusing on the person not the illness. There is a push for systems to become more person-driven which includes having new conceptions of people with mental illness; new models of professional practice; new collaborative modes; new roles for service users and professionals; a greater understanding of experiences and needs; more effective intervention strategies; conducive facilities, better training of professionals and more responsive systems of care. We still have mountains to climb, but by supporting and building on the dreams and desires of consumers we will get there.

“Today then, we reach out to the public and we say ‘mentalhealth is everyone’s business’. In addition, we’re working hard to ensure that the needs of those with mental health problems are considered not just in our ministry, but also across our public sector: with better support in education, employment, the justice sector, housing and elsewhere.

“It’s going to take all of us working together to achieve the change in attitudes to mental health that we need.

“When we look at the history of how people with mental illness have been treated and cared for, we realise that with modern scientific developments we have an excellent opportunity to enter a world where the freedoms and human rights of people with mental health problems can be fulfilled.

“Let me take the opportunity to thank the mental health experts and professionals, carers and all partners working day and night to deliver the highest quality of services they can. It is because of your tireless work that, despite the challenges you are able to deliver. It is the political commitment of our government and your professional commitment that will ensure that we succeed in improving the mental health services in Seychelles.

“Finally I wish to thank you all for joining me in this very important day in fighting for the rights of people with mental illness.

“Symptoms are not a barrier to recovery, but attitude is...

“Let us work together to pave the way forward.

“Thank you.”