Prioritise mental health issues by breaking the silence and stigma

Policymakers should prioritise mental health in legislation and policy-making. [iStockphoto]

Our collective understanding and acknowledgement of mental health have evolved significantly over the past years, yet we still have a long way to go. Mental health continues to be a topic often cloaked in silence and stigma, rarely getting the attention it deserves in our conversations or policies.

Looking back at May - the month dedicated to mental health awareness - provides us with a valuable opportunity to contemplate our collective approach towards mental health. Have we made the conversations surrounding mental health normal and inclusive? Are we effectively playing our roles as individuals, communities, or policymakers in fostering mental health? Are we doing enough to ensure everyone has access to the care they need? These are pertinent questions we need to address to advance towards a mentally healthier society.