How are you? It’s a simple question. But when was the last time you were asked it by someone who meant it? Good mental health is essential: it’s a prerequisite for individuals to function as part of society and to be able to participate in social life. At the same time, it is all too often overlooked, taken for granted until it’s lacking. For a long time, suffering from mental health issues or mental illness was considered a weakness and associated with great shame. People don’t talk about mental health problems. Fortunately, that’s changing. Talking helps – and so does writing, by the way. These are the first steps, and appropriate assistance is needed for them.
The bedrock
‘Mental health is the bedrock of health’ writes the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). But it is dependent on lots of factors and complex interrelationships. Mental illnesses range from eating disorders to depression, but the absence of a diagnosis is not proof that a person is healthy: invisible from the outside, people find themselves in stressful, even traumatic, life situations in which they require help. Context plays an important role in this regard. Across Switzerland, associations and foundations provide valuable support and prevention via low-threshold services such as advice hotlines.
Assistance
Wie geht’s dir? (How are you?) A broad-based and high-profile prevention campaign using this slogan has encouraged people to talk about mental health. One in two people will suffer from mental health issues at some point in their lives – a huge number. The campaign also offers practical support. Where can I find help? Ensa’s services show the impact of mental health first aid. Occupational health management (OHM) starts in the workplace, while the ‘Stand by you’ service is aimed at family and friends.
Loneliness
But does this help even get to those who urgently need it? Loneliness is a major challenge in a society that values individual freedom, a society in which 37.3 percent of people live in single-person households (2023 survey). According to Pro Senectute’s Age Monitor, a quarter of older people suffer from loneliness. FOPH data shows that older people suffering from loneliness have a shorter life expectancy.
Today, there are countless promising initiatives to combat loneliness in old age. The association connect! wants to combine these initiatives and make them more visible. But mental illness doesn’t only affect older people. While people used to say ‘everything’s possible, everything’s going well’, today’s young people hear ‘lots of things are getting worse, resources are becoming scarce and there’s the threat of serious social upheaval.’ This, too, has an impact and poses a challenge.
More is possible
If you’re in trouble, you need help. But the supply of professional support is not enough to meet the demand for assistance nowadays, and those who urgently need help, in particular, have to contend with long waiting times. This is especially true of the benefits covered by health insurers, which are, in turn, widely recognised. Motion Clivaz 21.3264 mandates the Federal Council to ‘ensure permanent funding for organisations of national importance in the areas of mental health and suicide and violence prevention’.
Context is all the more important. Low-threshold points of contact also have a major impact. And finally, everyone can and should take action – for themselves, but also for their fellow human beings. When it comes to mental illness, context is key. We need to take this issue seriously, because being mentally healthy and part of society is far from a given. You usually don’t notice that until it’s too late; when things stop working.
