World Mental Health Day this year takes place tomorrow, Friday, October 10.
SIMON KIRBY, the MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, is encouraging his constituents to help raise awareness of the event which is being used this year to raise awareness of schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia affects around 1 in 100 people throughout their lifetime, and can take a variety of forms, as well as having various symptoms. However, importantly, Schizophrenia is a very treatable disorder.
This year’s World Mental Health Day aims to raise awareness to the difficulties of living with the disorder, but also to raise awareness of its symptoms so that those who may be at risk, or currently living with it, can get the help they need.
A further aim of the day is to raise awareness of the 50% of people with schizophrenia who have no access to treatment, and the 90% of those in the developing world who struggle to find treatment.
Simon said: “Schizophrenia is a condition that affects a number of my constituents in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, either directly or indirectly, and I am pleased to see that this is the main focus of World Mental Health Day this year.
“It is important to use this day to raise awareness of the condition, as well as to highlight the difficulties that many people have with access to treatment for it, both in the UK and in the developing world. This is especially important as this is a disorder that is treatable.
“I hope that this year’s World Mental Health Day will make a real difference for all those living with the disorder, and will help raise awareness so that those currently experiencing the symptoms can get the help that they need.”