Mental Health, has become a major concern in healthcare in which experts have stated that innovative solutions are necessary to promote brain health.
In the ongoing conference held in Nairobi, mental health experts and neuroscientists have convened to come up with strategies that ensure mental health is at the forefront. The conference under the theme ‘Healing the Brain’ has commenced aiming to address the impact of mental health on individuals, communities and societies.
Among the obstacles that will be addressed include access to care, insufficient research, development and funding, cultural barriers towards help-seeking behavior among others. Professor Lukoye Atwoli in his remarks said that the conference would be a step in the right direction to address the challenges faces brain health in the country.
“This inaugural conference seeks to begin these critical conversations and bring on board partners across the board to journey with BMI in achieving our vision of a healthy brain, and healthy world, by putting in measures that culminate in bringing the right care at the right time to the right place. Together we will go far,” said Professor Lukoye.
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The Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Investment Case 2021 put the burden of mental health conditions at 62.2 billion Kenyan Shillings. This will cumulate the cost for medical bills for mental health conditions, lost productivity through absenteeism, presenters and premature deaths. It is in this regard that neuroscientists, researchers, and mental health experts are calling for intervention and investment in brain health.
Globally, mental health receives just 2 percent of all health funding, and the figure falls to 1 percent in lower-income countries. Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin reiterated that In lower-income countries, only a third of national health insurance plans cover mental health conditions. Sulaiman indicated that mental health like depression there are two mental health workers for every 100,000 people.
“Here in Africa, mental health research constitutes just 2 percent of all health research. Yet the continent’s suicide rate is the highest of any World Health Organization region with the 40 per cent higher than the global rate,” Aga khan University president Dr.Sulaiman Shahabuddin said.
Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety costs the world economy 1 trillion US Dollars per year in lost productivity. Additionally, the World Economic Forum forecasts that the cost of mental health conditions is projected to rise to 6 trillion US Dollars globally by 2030. It is in this regard that neuroscientists, researchers, and mental health experts are calling for intervention and investment in brain health.
While reflecting on the inspiration behind the conference, the Founding Director of the Brain & Mind Institute, Prof Zul Merali, observed that, mental illness is the largest of all diseases that need to be at the forefront to be considered.
“Indeed, the burden of mental illness is the largest of all diseases put together, with great implications for the socio-economic development of our countries. Each of us has a role to play to address this hidden pandemic,” Prof Zul noted.
He further added that, “through the expertise, experience, and facilitating continuous engagements with all relevant stakeholders, we will help communities appreciate mental health disorders as illnesses like other illnesses and treat them as such.”
The Brain and Mind Institute through the conference hopes to rally communities, governments, and practitioners in developing countries to make great strides in prevention, treatment, and awareness efforts to the silent pandemic.
This will be putting in place impact and well-resourced strategies and interventions to help close gaps in mental health using innovative, culturally sensitive solutions. The conference also aims to foster collaboration among stakeholders to promote the integration of brain health into overall health systems.
In attendance are neuroscientists and researchers actively engaged in studying the brain’s functions and disorders, medical professionals and other healthcare providers specializing in brain and mental health. Among others include advocacy groups, policymakers and government officials keen on the latest research and developments on brain and mental health.
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