PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Health has called on the public to become more knowledgeable and aware about improving their healthcare, both physical and mental, as this will lead to happy families and healthy human resources that can contribute to the development of the country.

On World Mental Health Day on Monday, 10 October 2022, the Ministry of Health called on all individuals, including children, adults, and the elderly, to take care of their mental and physical health. The Ministry said doing so will bring happiness to the family and lead to good human resources for the development of the nation.

To further promote good mental health, the Ministry has integrated mental health examination and treatment services at health facilities with specialized, basic, and primary levels.

The Ministry has launched specialized psychiatric examination services at 10 national and capital/provincial referral hospitals, 97 at the basic level at provincial/district referral hospitals, and 355 at primary healthcare centers.

The Ministry added that in 2021, a total of 87,284 people (36,631 men, 50,653 women), utilized counseling and psychiatric services at public health facilities.

Every year, the World Health Organization celebrates World Mental Health Day on 10 October with a different theme. In 2022, World Mental Health Day was held under the theme “Make Mental Health and Well-Being for All a Global Priority.”

This day is held to increase awareness of mental health issues, promote interventions that can help to prevent mental health issues, advocate against discrimination and stigma of mental health issues, and promote the participation of institutions in providing proper and timely care for treatment, as well as strengthen the quality of mental health services across the whole country.