It is well known that health is a major issue for
international development. However mental health is also very important and
its role in international development is often forgotten. SI UN Representative
Angelina Akhvlediani attended an event hosted by the UN’s Department of Public
Information Non-Governmental Organisations, in partnership with the American
Psychological Association. 

Angelina reports for SI on the impact that mental health has on the
Sustainable Development Goals.

On May 14, the American Psychological Association and DPI
NGO organised the event ‘Future Psychologists: Impacting the Sustainable
Development Goals and Global Issues’. The briefing explored youth perspectives
on psychology, looking at how new psychology graduates’ research is relevant to
the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

Photo: Panelists at the ‘Future Psychologists: Impacting the Sustainable
Development Goals and Global Issues’ event.

What is clear is mental health provision is a global
problem. The World Health Organisation’s grim statistics demonstrate how
important it is to overcome the problem of inadequate mental health provision.

One in four people will suffer from a mental health disorder
during the course of their lifetime. Currently more than 450 million people live with mental health disorders worldwide, meaning that wherever you
are, someone you know will be living with these challenges.

Some of us are lucky and have access to the services that
we need. However, for many this is not the case. Across every region, mental health issues continue to be stigmatised and those living with mental health disorders are often discriminated
against. They may be unable to find employment, fully participate in education,
or be accepted by wider society.

In Africa and Western Pacific, more than fifty percent of
countries do not have a mental health policy and eighty percent of people with
serious mental health disorders in developing countries, are not able to access
any appropriate treatment. Additionally, local beliefs can mean that people
with mental illnesses may find themselves accused of being possessed and traditional
practices can result in more harms and people becoming further isolated within their
communities.

 

Image: Watch the ‘Future Psychologists: Impacting the Sustainable
Development Goals and Global Issues’ event by clicking on the image above. 

Whilst the world’s leaders are considering how they are
going to implement development policies, they have to consider mental health.
By 2030, depression is expected to be the leading cause of reduced life
expectancy, ahead of heart disease and road traffic accidents. Even now the
direct and indirect costs of mental ill-health result in a four percent reduction
in world GDP, and this is set to increase.

This means it is impossible for us to ignore the importance
of mental health. With the introduction of policies and improved mental health
services more people will be able to live fulfilled and longer lives. This is
not only important on a personal level, but also on a sustainable
development level. With fewer people living with mental illness, more of the
global population will be able to complete education, have jobs and participate
in the economy, have a family, and contribute to wider society. Everyone will
benefit from improved mental health services. However, there is a long way to go
to make this a reality, and without mental health being integrated into the
SDGs, it is unlikely that we will get there.

Angelina Akhvlediani, SI UN Representative