Even today, society deals with depression and suicide in a cautious manner. These issues remain stigmatized, not only because of their emotional weight, but also because they challenge the comfort of conventional narratives about health and well-being. Centuries ago, Aristotle already asked: “Can a human being treat himself unjustly?”. And it was during the lecture held on Thursday afternoon (September 26th) in the auditorium of the Court of Justice of the State of Tocantins (TJTO) that the President of the Brazilian Psychiatric Association (ABP), Antônio Geraldo da Silva, led several reflections on the stigmas surrounding mental health.
Opening
At the opening of the event, Justice Angela Prudente, vice-President of the TJTO, stressed the importance of taking action in the face of the alarming data on suicide, which is responsible for more than seven hundred thousand deaths every year.
“These figures alone call us to action, but it is essential to remember that behind every statistic there is a life and a story. The motto of our campaign, “If you need help it, ask for help!”, reinforces that seeking support is an act of courage, and information is the first step towards understanding what we are facing and offering help to those who fight this internal battle on a daily basis,” said the Justice.
Ângela also highlighted the recent technical cooperation agreement signed between the TJTO and the ABP, which aims to develop and implement actions aimed at the mental health of members of the Judiciary of the State of Tocantins, reinforcing the commitment of the institution to the well-being of its members.
Psychiatrist Leonardo Baldara, President of the Psychiatry Association of the State of Tocantins, emphasized the seriousness of mental disorders, pointing out that “the World Health Organization estimates that one in eight people suffers from a mental disorder. This is a serious issue that directly impacts mortality among young people. We need to ensure that patients seek help and have access to proper diagnoses.”
Afterwards, Psychiatrist Wordney Carvalho Camarço highlighted the work of the Psychosocial Reception and Monitoring Center (Napsi), describing it as a cutting-edge service. “Napsi is a cutting-edge service, as I like to say. While the mental health system of the country generally focuses on putting out fires and providing medical care, our model, inspired by the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo and brought here, seeks to go further. We work mainly to promote health and prevent work-related illness, preventing crises from becoming inevitable,” he said.
Yellow September: promote health and prevent mental illness
In his talk, Antônio Geraldo da Silva, President of the ABP, addressed the importance of the Yellow September campaign, the largest anti-stigma campaign in the world, which aims to raise awareness among the population that suicide can be prevented by disseminating correct and responsible information.
In his speech, he pointed out that 96.8% of suicide cases are related to untreated or inadequately treated mental illnesses. Among the main triggers, in addition to mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia and personality disorders, alcohol abuse was pointed out as a significant factor.
Antônio Geraldo stressed that his aim was not to alarm the public, but to send a message that information is the key to the prevention of suicide. He also stressed the importance of preventive practices, such as a balance between personal and professional life, regular physical activity, proper nutrition, strengthening social ties and leisure time.
Talking about the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health, the speaker explained that, in the post-pandemic period, suicide is responsible for 12.5% of deaths among adolescents and young adults worldwide, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Antonio concluded by stressing that talking about mental health is essential, but it must be done responsibly, as even trained professionals are cautious when dealing with this sensitive subject.
On the occasion, the Board of Directors of the Psychiatry Association of the State of Tocantins awarded Dr. Antônio Geraldo da Silva the title of honorary associate, in recognition of his relevant services to psychiatry.
National deaf day
September 26th is the National Deaf Day, created to promote reflection on the achievements and challenges faced by deaf people in Brazil. Esmat, together with the Judiciary of the State of Tocantins, emphasizes that events such as this one rely on accessibility resources, such as the presence of sign language interpreters.
