NSCA Foundation

World Health Day 2017


Wednesday, 29 March, 2017

World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO). It is designed to provide the organisation with a unique opportunity to mobilise action around a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.

The theme of this year’s World Health Day campaign is depression.

Depression affects people of all ages, from all walks of life, in all countries. It is an illness characterised by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks. In addition, people with depression normally have several of the following symptoms: a loss of energy; a change in appetite; sleeping more or less; anxiety; reduced concentration; indecisiveness; restlessness; feelings of worthlessness, guilt or hopelessness; and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Yet, depression can be prevented and treated. A better understanding of what depression is, and how it can be prevented and treated, will help reduce the stigma associated with the condition, and lead to more people seeking help.

The overall goal of WHO’s one-year campaign, which began on 10 October 2016, World Mental Health Day, is that more people with depression, in all countries, seek and get help.

More specifically, the organisation is aiming to achieve the following:

  • The general public is better informed about depression, its causes and possible consequences, including suicide, and what help is or can be available for prevention and treatment.
  • People with depression seek help.
  • Family, friends and colleagues of people living with depression are able to provide support.

At the core of the WHO campaign is the importance of talking about depression as a vital component of recovery. The stigma surrounding mental illness, including depression, remains a barrier to people seeking help throughout the world. Talking about depression — whether with a family member, friend or medical professional; in larger groups, for example in schools, the workplace and social settings; or in the public domain, in the news media, blogs or social media — helps break down this stigma, ultimately leading to more people seeking help.

Further information about the WHO campaign is available here: www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2017/en/.

Some of the support services available in Australia include:

Lifeline 13 11 14

www.lifeline.org.au

Beyondblue

1300 22 46 36

www.beyondblue.org.au

NSCA Foundation is a member based, non-profit organisation working together with members to improve workplace health and safety throughout Australia. For more information and membership details click here
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