Miscellaneous
ADDC Bulletin October 10th, 2012
Link to download: http://www.addc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ADDC-Bulletin-October-10-20121.doc
World Mental Health Day Today 10 October 2012
Today is World Mental Health Day. Mental Health is a key issue for those of us interested in disability and development. Poor mental health affects hundreds of millions of people globally, 80% of whom live in developing countries. An estimated 151 million people have depression, 26 million live with schizophrenia, and 125 million are affected by alcohol use disorders. In low income countries, depression represents almost as large a problem as malaria. The World Health Organisation urges that this is "one of the most neglected, yet essential development issues in achieving the MDGs".
This is because there is a strong and vicious cycle where poor mental health is both a key cause and consequence of poverty. Psychosocial disabilities can lead to compromised education, productivity, gender inequality, ill-health, violence and other poor development outcomes. This impedes the individual's capacity to work productively, realize their potential and make a contribution to their community. Persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities often face stigma and discrimination, as well as experience high levels of physical and sexual abuse, whichcan occur in a range of settings, including prisons, hospitals and homes. On the other hand, positive mental health is linked to a range of development outcomes such as better health, education, productivities, relationships and quality of life.
Unfortunately, in most developing countries insufficient resources are devoted to improving mental health. Up to 85% of people with serious psychosocial disabilities in developing countries do not receive any treatment, and 31% of countries have no specified mental health budget at all.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised that mental health is WHO has recognised that mental health is a development issue essential to achieving the MDGs. Read how it relates to each MDG here( http://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/mhtargeting/mh_policyanalysis_who_undesa.pdf ) There are also various fact sheets ( http://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/development/1_Breakingviciouscycle_Infosheet.pdf) and reports( http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2010/9789241563949_eng.pdf ) with background information on mental health and development issues, and WHO's recommendations on how and why all development stakeholders should target people with mental health conditions as a vulnerable group in all of their work. You can also read Badrul's story ( http://www.endthecycle.org.au/stories/badrul-mannan/ ), the first hand experiences of the father of a man with psychosocial disability in Bangladesh, told in his own words. (download the bulletin for more information)
BULLETIN CONTENTS
UPDATES
- World Mental Health Day - 10 October 2012
- Depression A Global Public Health Concern
- Progress in regional disability strategy implementation
- Strong solidarity expressed for disability agenda
- Prime Minister O'Neill PNG: Speech at PIF Ministerial Disability Meeting
- Closing of the 8th session of the CRPD Committee, 28 September 2012
- Final program design document for the Empowering Indonesian Women for Poverty Reduction (MAMPU) program 12
- ADDC Executive Committee: Expression of Interest for Positions
- End The Cycle: Of Poverty and Disability
- Education for All
- South Africa: The Plight of South Africa's Youth with Disabilities
- A Story of Healing through Play
- Stronger Political will Worldwide crucial to tackle growing refugee crisis, UN warns
- October has been declared National Dwarfism Awareness Month
- Without Borders Photo Contest
- UNICEF survey on children with disabilities
- Thailand learns from Cara
- Nigerians with disabilities demand quick passage of disability law
- Women With Disabilities And Economic Rights
CONFERENCES and EVENTS
- Refer to ADDC website: Calendar of Events for new items
- 2013 Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE) Call for papers
- 2013 Kanthari course in Trivandrum, South of India
- Child Welfare and Disabilities - Call for Abstracts
EMPLOYMENT and FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
- Application for PIP Travel Fellowship Funding for Residents of the Pacific Islands to the PacINET Conference in Fiji, November 2012
- Seeking Applications for Researcher Position - Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Toronto, Canada
RESOURCES
- Mental Health and Development Integrating Mental Health into All Development Efforts including MDG's Resources:
- OHCHR - Guidelines for submitting individual complaints now made public
- Advocacy Package: Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
- Making it Work – new website 31
- Report of "Make the Rights Real Event in Myanmar: Promotion of UN-CRPD Implementation
- New Report by HRW: "Like a Death Sentence"
NEWSLETTERS: OTHER ORGANISATIONS
- Women With Disabilities Annual Report
- DPIAP Newsletter 4th October
- PDF Weekly Update
Source and Email from: Lyn Bridge, Executive Assistant, Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC)
By: Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC)
When: 7/2/2014
