Your world with Dr. Beatrice Hyppolite
Hello,
I am Dr. Marie Beatrice Hyppolite. I hold a doctorate in Health Science with emphasis on Global Health and master’s degree in social work. I have over 14 years of experience in the field of health and human services.
This podcast is primarily focused on mental health and the quality-of-life elements that affect it such as divorce, death, domestic violence, trauma, toxic relationships, and single parenthood to name a few. It is no secret that mental health challenges continue to profoundly impact modern society although not enough discussion is given due to stigma. Research has shown an increase of 25 % in mental health crises after COVID-19. It is important to have honest, uncomfortable conversations about mental health while being supportive. Although we are interdependent, change begins with the individual, hence “your world.”
I welcome you to join me on my journey and look forward to your responses.
Your world with Dr. Beatrice Hyppolite
The Global Mental Health Crisis
The numbers are staggering. Over one billion people worldwide live with mental health disorders. Anxiety and depression each affect 300 million individuals. Suicide claims 727,000 lives annually. Yet despite this enormous burden of suffering, mental health remains critically underfunded and frequently misunderstood.
Our global response to this crisis reveals troubling disparities. While high-income countries manage to provide care for approximately 70% of people with psychosis, low-income nations reach fewer than 10% of those needing mental health services. The funding gap is equally alarming – mental health receives just 2% of global health budgets, with some countries spending as little as $0.04 per person annually. These aren't just statistics; they represent real people suffering without access to potentially life-changing treatments.
Perhaps most disturbing is the persistent stigma surrounding mental illness. When public figures suggest that people with schizophrenia – a condition affecting 24 million worldwide – should be "permanently jailed," it demonstrates how far we still need to go in education and awareness. While our attention remains fixated on political debates and other issues, this mental health epidemic continues largely unaddressed. The time for meaningful action isn't someday in the future – it's now. Our collective well-being depends on prioritizing mental health alongside other global challenges. Will you join the conversation about how we can better support those struggling with mental health conditions?
Today I wanna share with you the most recent statistic on mental health worldwide. Over 1 million people worldwide live with mental health disorders, with women accounting for 53% of cases. Anxiety and depression disorders are the most common types of mental health disorders among both men and women. According to research, suicide claims are an estimated of 727,000 lives annually, with young people being disproportionately affected. The global target is to reduce suicide rates by one-third by 2030, but only a 12% reduction is projected. Research continues to cut the treatment gap. It seems the treatment gap is pretty significant. Where, according to research, many countries struggle to provide adequate mental health services, particularly in low-income nations. For example, low-income countries, fewer than 10% of individuals with mental health disorders receive care. High income countries, 70% of people with psychosis receive care. Mental health spending, the median of spending on mental health remain very significant. Just 2% of total health budget on change since 2027. Low-income countries spend as little as 0.04 per capita on mental health. That's something that really need to be taken into consideration. Because anything that I've noticed, we talk about everything in this world, and especially we live in the world where like it is about politics. Politics is in everything. I got it. But while we are focusing on a zillion of things, so it's important to know that we have way too many people out there dealing with mental health issues, and those problems are not being considered or even addressed. Something very important needs to be done. So I'm not asking people not to focus on politic and all the other things that they are focusing on, but know that people are living with serious mental health issues out there and they're not being addressed. Anxiety disorder affects 300 million people throughout the world. Depression affects 300 million people worldwide with women being more affected. Bipolar disorder affects 60 million people throughout the world. Schizophrenia affects 24 million people worldwide. And recently I was watching a late night TV show, and to my surprise, one of the guest speakers, you know, said something that was very poignant. I understand sometimes we wanna talk, we wanna make a point, but when we don't have the actual information or don't know too well the subject, it's okay not to talk about it. To my surprise, the lady said on here, where you know, I think the panel had about eight or ten people or probably less, when she said, people we know who suffer with schizophrenia are supposed to be put in jail permanently. That's the way some people see people with mental health issues. So they're not trying to address that issue, but they see it, you know what? Hey, if you have a family member or anybody that you know or anybody whatsoever living in the country living with the mental health issues, so don't bother to seek treatment or offer any assistance to that person, just throw that person in jail permanently. So I was like, wow, wow! So if people who are in position of power, you know, tend to see people with mental health that way, then what is gonna be in another 10 years or 20 years? Mental health is a very serious issue and it needs to be addressed. And it is urgent now that more than ever is the time to address mental health in this country.