By Vanessa Cort
DURING the course of this month, two important Days are celebrated: World Mental Health Day, October 10 and, tomorrow, World Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
The former was marked in Guyana by a now annual event, a march in Central Georgetown, beginning and ending at the Bank of Guyana on Main Street.
In recent years, the world has turned its attention and resources particularly towards these two debilitating illnesses, under the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO).
This year’s theme for mental health is, “Lived experiences heard real voices, real change,” acknowledging that, as we say in Guyana, ‘who feels it, knows it’. For no one can speak better about mental health than the sufferers.
I currently know of someone who wages a daily ‘battle’ with mental health in the form of acute depression.
She has identified as male, and the first time we met I actually thought she was a young man because of her appearance and body language.
She has faced stigma in all its ugly forms and now undergoes regular mental-health counselling for constant suicidal thoughts and actions
“I try to deal with it by helping others who suffer with mental-health issues, “Thandy told me, while admitting that she still requires treatment for her own problems.
A churchgoer with deep spiritual beliefs, her journey has been fraught with severe psychological trauma, yet she is well loved and supported by her church community.
Hers is just one of so many touching stories
We may hear from mental-health sufferers if we just take the time to listen.
This year in Guyana, action has taken the form of free initial mental health counselling, with the option to continue with paid treatment if necessary
It is certainly a step in the right direction and an indication that our country is ‘waking up’ to the very real problem of mental health.
Internationally, celebrities and athletes have done a great deal to turn the spotlight on mental illness by admitting to their own challenges and fears
Prince Harry, a member of the British Royal Family, who sparked raging controversy when he decided to ‘step away ‘ from the monarchy, famously said, “We all have mental health in the same way we have physical health. It’s OK to have depression, it’s OK to have anxiety, it’s OK to have adjustment disorder.”
His overarching concern is that people openly discuss mental health and that we, as a society, listen and take positive action, thus underscoring this year’s theme.
The WHO also seeks to “accelerate the shift away from isolated, long-stay psychiatric institutions, towards community-based, rights-based and person-centred care.”
Breast Cancer Awareness, also observed this month, is, according to breastcancer.org, “more than pink ribbons.” They add that, “while some may feel inspired, many people living with breast cancer feel like the month-long campaign overlooks their experience with the disease.”
For me, Breast Cancer Awareness Month holds special significance because three members of a family, who were close neighbours, all died from the disease.
This month, under the theme, “Every story is unique, every journey matters,” the aim is to promote screening and reduce the risk of the disease, which affects 2.4 million women across the globe.
Specific dates have been set to raise awareness of specific groups within the breast-cancer community.
In the US, October 13 is nationally recognised as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which seeks, “to educate the public about the challenges that people with metastatic breast cancer face as well as the need for more research – and more treatments – to this deadly disease,” as Jennifer Carr, poet, author and speaker, states in her book on the subject.
She also points out that the Day serves as a reminder that, “people can do all the right things— breast-cancer screenings and all the recommended treatments for early-stage breast cancer— and still have cancer spread to other parts of the body.”
What many may not know is that, although breast cancer is more common among women, it can affect men too.
In 2021, former American President Joe Biden designated October 17-23 as Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week, which actually began yesterday.
An estimated 2,670 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in the US and about 530 will actually die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.
They also observe that “lack of awareness and stigma can be barriers to detection and care in men, trans men and non-binary people.”
Stuart Scott, American sportscaster and ESPN anchor, now deceased, had reminded everyone that cancer can be beaten through your way of life, and while cancer may start the battle, “the fighter finishes it.”
And Lance Armstrong, former American professional road-racing cyclist, said, “We have two options medically and emotionally: Give up or fight like hell.”
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.