Mental health is a term that seems to be everywhere lately — a hot-button topic tossed around political forums, on school campuses, across the internet and in our own homes. While we may see mental health as an American issue, the effects of mental illness are being felt on a global level. People experience mental health disorders all over the world. It affects every level of society.

Depression alone accounts for a startling 300 million cases of mental illness worldwide, with tens of millions more living with other mental health conditions. (World Health Organization, 2018) Globally, the greatest hurdles to successfully treating mental illness are stigma and financial hardship. While mental health seems to be less taboo within the United States, worldwide it is still a subject often avoided or spoken of in malice. We are doing a great job of talking about mental illness, but we do not always do a great job of making sure everyone has equal access to mental health treatment. Where financial difficulties are prevalent, 76 to 85 percent of those suffering from mental illness receive no treatment. (WHO 2018) Wednesday, Oct. 10, is World Mental Health Day. Help us celebrate those living with mental illness.

Join the Okeechobee Children’s Mental Health System of Care and wear green to show your support.

Learn more about the truths of mental health, vow to stop the stigma, and treat others with kindness for we know not the battles they face.