These are the invisible struggles; this is the stigma that perpetuates the silence that can and must be broken. This is the need to speak openly about mental health.
One in seven people worldwide lives with a mental health disorder. Every year, October 10 serves as a reminder that this issue affects us all.
GIORGOS MIKELLIDIS—Psychiatrist:
“Unfortunately, the stigma persists worldwide, and Cyprus is no exception. Of course, what we’re seeing is an improvement in the situation, as people are realizing how important their mental health is and are seeking help more often.”
Just as on a global scale, so too at the national level, the most commonly reported mental health disorders are those related to anxiety and depression. According to data included in the Ministry of Health’s Strategic Plan for 2026–2028, anxiety disorders affect 7.2% of the population and depressive disorders 3.8%, while the corresponding rate for disorders caused by alcohol and drug use reaches 2.6%. However, the numbers do not always accurately reflect the truth.
GIORGOS MIKELLIDIS—Psychiatrist:
“Some of the statistics may be based on questionnaires that were administered over the phone, for example. What we’ve seen globally, and especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, is an increase in anxiety disorders and depressive episodes. “From the 1990s to the present, we’ve seen that the number of people with mental disorders has doubled.”
And yet, according to the World Health Organization, only 2% of national health budgets is allocated to mental health—a percentage that has remained unchanged since 2017.
GIORGOS MIKELLIDIS—Psychiatrist:
“Some people are talking about a depression pandemic these days, so we need to allocate more funds to mental health services.”
The message of this year’s World Mental Health Day focuses on the need for people experiencing mental health disorders to be involved in decisions that affect them.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Watch the report by Rafaella Stavrinou:
