Each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and countries around the world celebrate World Health Day on April 7. Celebrants take time to highlight specific health issues affecting people around the globe. For 2021, the theme of this day is equality. The World Health Organization wants leaders to commemorate this day, and individuals can also mark World Health Day in their personal lives. At TruHealing Centers, we believe in the importance of celebrating World Health Day and the treatment of mental health disorders.
World Health Day Celebrations
WHO wants national leaders to take a look at inequality in their countries. Differences in income, housing, and working conditions can all impact:
- Physical health
- Access to healthcare
Mental health - Longevity
- Availability of clean food and water
- Quality of healthcare
Therefore, by shining a light on income disparities and how they impact health, WHO hopes to have national leaders make changes to reduce the effects of poverty.
What You Can Do for World Health Day
While individuals cannot create policies to promote healthcare access equality, they can learn about the topic. Plus, they can find out more about the major health problems affecting the world and their area.
For instance, in the United States, a major concern is the opioid epidemic and the closely related heroin epidemic. The heroin epidemic is a problem that likely stems from opioid painkiller addiction. Many opioid drugs have a strong effect on the brain that can lead to addiction, even in people who use them properly. Therefore, learning about these drugs and how addictive they are can help individuals to become more informed if a doctor prescribes these medications for themselves or a loved one.
Learning how to prevent prescription drug addiction and abuse is also important. For example, not all abused prescriptions are opioid drugs. Some people abuse benzodiazepines used for anxiety treatment or Adderall taken for ADHD. For anyone with these drugs, keeping the medications in a locked container in a protected area could protect loved ones from accessing these addictive drugs.
Also, individuals should learn the warning signs of addiction to help themselves or a loved one know when to get treatment. Common symptoms or behaviors of drug or alcohol addiction may include:
- Increasingly secretive behavior
- Separation from friends or former friend groups
- Work or school performance decline
- Sleeping problems, such as too much or not enough sleeping
- Major changes in the amount of food eaten, too little or too much
- Significant mood shifts
However, it is essential to understand that the listed symptoms are general ones, and the indicators of drug or alcohol addiction vary depending on the substance.
The Role of Addiction Treatment in World Health Day
Addiction treatment can improve the physical and mental health of the person addicted and their friends and family. In fact, the close relationship between addiction and the emotions of the family is so close that many substance use addiction therapy programs include family therapy as a way to help. However, other forms of therapy also exist to help the client to improve their mental health, which may include group and individual therapies.
At TruHealing Centers, our team recognizes that therapy is a crucial step toward addiction recovery. This is because substance use disorders have their origins in thoughts and feelings. In addition, there are physical and chemical changes made to the brain that changes behavior. Drug recovery detox programs flush out the drugs to help improve the brain’s physical health, while psychotherapy can help the mind find ways to handle emotions and thoughts.
Celebrate World Health Day with TruHealing Centers
World health starts with individual health. For those affected by addiction, whether in themselves or a loved one, physical or mental health may suffer. Therefore, if you or someone you know needs addiction treatment, call [Direct] or complete our secure online form to get in touch with TruHealing Centers. We help people to make the changes to overcome drug or alcohol addiction and live healthier lives.