One in four people affected by mental illness

World Mental Health Day will be marked in Ireland and worldwide today as part of an international campaign to prioritise mental health issues.

According to the World Federation for Mental Health, which leads the event, approximately 450 million people – approximately one out of every four people - around the world will experience a mental illness that would benefit from diagnosis and treatment.

The 2008 World Mental Health Day theme is: 'Making Mental Health A Global Priority: Scaling up Services Through Advocacy and Action'. The aim is to draw more attention to the need for a stronger advocacy movement on mental health issues.

In Ireland, the Mental Health Commission will host a seminar focusing on Mental Health Advocacy which will be chaired by broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan. The seminar will take place today in the Mansion House from 10.30am until 1.30pm.

Dr. Edmond O’Dea, chairman of the Mental Health Commission said: “Some progress has been made in Ireland and worldwide in recent years in removing the stigma from mental illness.

"The report we published recently, 'The Economics of Mental Health Care in Ireland', showed that investment in mental health services not only benefits patients but pays its way economically through reducing the cost to society of mental illness.

"At this time of economic difficulty it is important not to cut spending on mental health services, which brings such benefits to individuals, to the economy and to society."