World Mental Health Day is being observed on Saturday with the slogan 'More Investment, Free Opportunity'. The World Health Organization (WHO) says the coronavirus epidemic is having a devastating effect on people's mental health worldwide. Citing a survey of 93 countries conducted from June to August, the World Health Organization warned on Friday that mental health had been neglected during the coronavirus crisis.
The WHO is hosting an event called 'The Big Event for Mental Health' on social media on Saturday, calling for increased investment in the mental health sector.
According to AFP, 73 per cent of the 130 countries surveyed by the World Health Organization (WHO) have included mental health in their corona epidemiological plans. However, only 17 percent of them have allocated the full funds they need.
Deborah Castell, the World Health Organization's director of mental health, called for an immediate increase in funding for the mental health sector at a virtual media briefing. He said this is the neglected aspect of Covid 19.
According to the WHO, before the Corona epidemic, several countries allocated less than 2 percent of their national health budgets to mental health. There is a growing need to increase allocations to mental health due to corona.
The World Health Organization says in a statement that grief, isolation, loss of income, fear affect mental health. Many have increased their use of alcohol and drugs. Insomnia and anxiety are on the rise.
The WHO says more information and research is needed on the effects of corona on mental health.