Mental Health Crisis: How Can Governments Help?
The whirlwind of change to our daily lives brought about by the pandemic is undeniable. Individuals have been subjected to radical alterations to their daily routines, from the isolation of quarantine to a heightened fear for their lives. While such issues have been reported in the media and discussed on platforms like Instagram & Twitter, governments have instead opted to focus on distributing vaccines and preserving an economy that is threatened by the pandemic. As such, they have been lacklustre in responding to a need for mental health support.
Governments, thus far, have been timid in addressing the mental health crisis that has emerged in the wake of the pandemic – an oversight that must be corrected. Real action would begin with policy-making initiatives that address mental health education in both schools and the workforce. For starters, governments should consider it imperative to make mental health education mandatory. Institutions must emphasize the normality of experiencing mental health issues, while also ensuring that individuals are comfortable reaching out if and when needed. Such actions are especially necessary when considering that mental health struggles are often downplayed due to the false belief that they will eventually disappear by themselves. Moreover, when individuals begin to experience feelings of distress, many face uncertainty and lack the knowledge to effectively cope with their never-before-experienced emotions. Mental health issues are a slippery slope; collaborating with non-profit organizations in order to provide sessions, whether that is counselling, therapy, psychiatry or anything else, will be extremely beneficial. Non-profit organisations often offer free services, which can only increase the accessibility of said services by removing financial and social barriers. Governments should and must partner with these nonprofits to address mental health issues. Depending on the state of the pandemic in a particular area, sessions should ideally be group-oriented so as to alleviate the feelings of isolation caused by lockdown measures. These sessions should focus on a large number of concerns, ranging from simple expression and guided introspection to seeking appropriate medication if necessary.
Moreover, due to varied age and other associated social factors, it is paramount that these services are not only advertised digitally but also through other mediums as well. This is critical as some may lack access to or knowledge of technology, which would prevent them from receiving the help they deserve.
Aside from providing these sessions, a good portion of people who are depressed or mentally ill don’t have symptoms that warrant intensive treatment. Hence, in order to serve this demographic, governments should distribute brochures and infographics detailing coping mechanisms when feeling overwhelmed and the relevant support systems in place.
To conclude, there are various ways governing bodies should approach the current mental health crisis. It is of utmost importance that such bodies start prioritising this issue before it becomes too widespread, ensuring that their citizens’ needs are heard and acted upon. After all, these people are the future.
Nicole Lau is the CEO and Founder of Mindcology HK, a student-run advocacy organization that aims to educate teenagers on mental health and mental illness while creating a safe environment to connect and share experiences. Our goals are to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illnesses within the community, create a safe environment for teenagers to share their thoughts and seek support, and share ways to improve our mental wellbeing. Through informative Instagram posts, insightful podcast episodes, and a brand new website, MindcologyHK has helped reduce the stigmatization of mental health in the community and strives to continue doing so.
The author is a graduating senior at Canadian International School, Hong Kong. She is also a rising freshman at USC Keck School of Medicine.