Mental Health: Is USA Number One?
Mental Health USA (National Archived-Public Domain)
As of 2019, the US had one of the largest numbers of mental health disorders in the world, but the US also hasmany resources available. But are our resources the best? The research would indicate that they are not. For instance, our neighboring countries in North America have considerably fewer suicides per year. Part of this might have to do with the stigma around being mentally ill – but there’s nothing wrong with needing help. in fact, 1 out of 5 Americans have mental health issues. This is not a small issue. I’ve only been alive for 16 years and I know a child who took his own life. The struggle with mental health is not just someone being overdramatic. However, the USdoes a good job of raising awareness, so we’ll talk about other countries and their mental health problems and how they deal with them.
Mental health is a critical aspect of our overall wellbeing. It affects the way we think, feel, and behave, and it is essential for us to maintain good mental health for a fulfilling life. However, mental health issues remain a significant challenge across the globe, with varying levels of awareness and resources available in differentcountries. In this article, we will explore the level of mental health awareness and resource availability in the US and other countries and rank them accordingly based on this writer’s research.
United States
The United States is a world leader in mental health awareness and availability of mental health services.According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 51.5 million adults in the US experienced mental illness in 2019. The US government has taken several initiatives to promote mental health awareness, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The US has a vast network of mental health providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed clinicalsocial workers. Mental health services are also covered by most health insurance plans, making them accessible to a broader range of people. However, despite these efforts, stigma around mental illness remains a significant challenge in the US, which can prevent individuals from seeking treatment.
Ranking: 1st
Canada
Canada is another country with high levels of mental health awareness and resources available to its citizens. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national organization that provides education, resources, and support for those affected by mental illness. The Canadian government has also invested heavily in mental healthservices, with an estimated 7.2% of the total health expenditure going towards mental health in 2018.
However, like the US, stigma around mental illness remains a challenge in Canada. Ranking: 2nd
Australia
Australia has made significant progress in promoting mental health awareness and resources in recent years. TheAustralian government launched the National Mental Health Commission in 2011 to provide leadership and advice onmental health policy and reform. The government has also invested heavily in mental health services, with an estimated 7.2% of the total health expenditure going towards mental health in 2018.
However, despite these efforts, Australia still faces challenges in addressing mental health issues. According to a2020 report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, suicide remains a leading cause of death in Australia, with an estimated 3,318 deaths by suicide in 2019.
Ranking: 3rd
United Kingdom
The UK has a well-established mental health system, with mental health services provided by the National HealthService (NHS). The NHS provides a range of mental health services, including counseling and therapy, medication, and hospital treatment. The UK government has also launched several initiatives to promote mental health awareness, such as the Time to Change campaign.
However, like other countries on this list, stigma around mental illness remains a significant challenge in the UK. According to a 2019 survey by the Mental Health Foundation, 61% of adults in the UK had experienced stigma or discrimination because of their mental health.
Ranking: 4th
Japan
Japan has made significant progress in addressing mental health issues in recent years. The Japanese government launched the Basic Act on Suicide Countermeasures in 2006, which established suicide prevention asa national priority. The government has also invested heavily in mental health services.
Ranking: 5th
The top five countries are based on availability, and public reception or perception of mental illness as well aslevels of mental illness public population. Based on the research I did, the US is the best when it comes to availability and acceptance. This means by no means that the problem is not present and serious, there is still a large group of people who are ignorant. And this ignorance hurts people and keeps the stigma alive. However, in recent years the stigma around having mental illness and or taking medication has gotten better.
Research Sources:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
