Mental Health Is a Universal Human Right - World Mental Health Day 2023
World Mental Health Day 2023
Longstanding differences in how the world handles physical health versus mental health persist, despite the efforts of the WHO internationally and the current administration nationally. Great strides have been made - including this year’s World Health Day Initiative on October 10th “Mental Health Is a Universal Human Right.” But we still have a long way to go. Mental health parity is a work in progress, and the global mental health crisis is on the rise.
Worldwide, one in seven youth ages 10-19 are experiencing a mental health disorder. Globally, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for people ages 15-29.
Youth with mental health conditions are more vulnerable to:
discrimination
stigma
educational challenges
risk-taking behavior
poor physical health
human rights violations
Inequity and unavailability of mental health care in youth have longstanding effects that often progress into adulthood, where undermanaged mental health concerns often become the leading causes of long-term disability.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated both how fragile and how resilient we are as a species. An invisible respiratory illness spiked rates of anxiety worldwide and sparked innovations in education and health accessibility. If there is anything we have learned from this experience, it is that technology can bring us together, even when we are alone and far apart.
Bringing Youth Together
Bradley REACH aims to bring youth together through technology in a virtual setting. We use this modality to improve access to mental health care, preserving it as a right for every teen. Cost, availability, and accessibility are often significant barriers to obtaining mental health care. Through our unique PHP and IOP programs, each of these barriers are addressed. Every youth in our programs is provided with a full team of highly skilled and compassionate individuals to treat the child and their family. Every youth can join our program from the comfort of their home, as virtual care makes treatment accessible anywhere in the U.S. This is a huge advantage for families who may have transportation issues, or who live in rural areas where care is not available.
Our clinicians advocate fiercely in the community for mental health concerns to be treated on the same level as physical health issues.
Every person, of every age, in every country, has the right to obtain quality mental health care. Here at Bradley REACH, we honor that right for everyone - one teen at a time. Our ultimate goal is to make intensive mental health care accessible to youth across the nation, contributing to the goal of mental health as a human right.
DISCLAIMER:
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you or your child are in crisis or experiencing mental health problems please seek the advice of a licensed clinician or call 988 or Kids Link in Rhode Island.
