Understanding of the burden that mental health plays on our quality of life

Grateful to have had the opportunity to represent Healthy Brains Global Initiative (HBGI) working with McKinsey Health Institute in the development of interactive dashboard that provides understanding of the burden that mental health plays on our quality of life.

We are losing over 300 years of life annually due to brain and mental health conditions. We are seeing more and more people reaching out for already limited resources available in the mental health care sector, while in certain parts of the world, mental health is still a much stigmatized topic.

We need to normalize such topic, have a proper understanding on different level of supports that can be provided to the public, and making sure that care is accessible and affordable to all.

Policies should not be made from a top down perspective, as mental health is a multifaceted complex issue. Biopsyhosocial model must be considered with people with lived experience working closely with health care professionals and policy makers.

As I reflect upon my own journey, I believe mental health is highly intertwined with other facets of life, and to make effective change going forward, it needs to be looked at through the biopsychosocial model.

Hopefully the dashboard developed by McKinsey Health Institute and HBGI will shine more light on the burden of mental health and what opportunities are available for us to make it better.