APD | Seventy-three percent of millennials in 15 countries believe mental health is as important as water, food, shelter

By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

MANILA – About three in four millennials or 73 percent surveyed from 15 countries said mental health needs are as important as water, food and shelter for victims of wars and armed conflict.

In a statement released by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva today, they said the data from an Ipsos survey commissioned by the their Committee of more than 15,000 people aged 20 to 35, shows growing awareness of the importance of mental health in conflict situations.

It was learned of the 15 countries surveyed, the highest support for mental health among millennials came from Syria, where 87 percent of roughly 1000 respondents said mental health needs are as important as water, food and shelter for victims of armed conflicts. The next highest countries were Indonesia (82 percent), Ukraine (81 percent) and Switzerland (80 percent).“Mental health services have for too long been an after-thought in conflict settings. When traumas are invisible, they can be easily overlooked or deprioritized. Yet war has a devastating impact on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of millions. New mental health problems can appear, and pre-existing conditions may resurface. For some the effects will be life-threatening,” said ICRC President Peter Maurer.

The survey found more than one out of five people in the conflict-affected areas live with some form of mental health condition, from mild depression to post-traumatic stress disorder. That is three times more than the general population worldwide suffering from these conditions.

The same ICRC statement said the mental health and psychosocial needs of people caught in up in conflict must be a part of the growing attention given to mental health around the world.

Mr. Maurer said supporting people’s mental health can be lifesaving in times of war and violence, “just as much as stemming a bleeding wound or having clean water.” He explained hidden wounds are no less dangerous.

This week, in time for World Mental Health Day, the ICRC called on all States to prioritize mental health and psychosocial support in situations of violence and armed conflict, as critical to the first wave of humanitarian assistance, and as an integral component in domestic and international emergency response systems, the ICRC statement concluded. (Melo M. Acuña)

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)