Brain health is central to wellbeing, as the brain governs all our thoughts, emotions and behaviours. The brain is a highly sensory organ, receiving information from within the body and from the environment (including physical and social/psychological). It assesses the environment, prepares us for action, and serves as a critical determinant of different health and societal consequences.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently launched its position paper on Brain Health Optimization to prioritize brain health in the public health sector and beyond. In addition, it aims to galvanize global commitment to support the implementation of the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders 2022—2031. Besides, it will help foster cooperation among countries, civil society, academia, and private sector partners to drive the global brain health agenda. Implementing the action plan requires united action from diverse stakeholders, such as healthcare practitioners, researchers and research funders, policy decision-makers, and the general community. I was honoured to represent the BMI as a penal member on the launch of this initiative.
On another exciting front, there has been the global launch of the Lancet-World Psychiatric Association Commission on Depression. I am delighted to inform you that BMI is gearing up to partner in the African launch in collaboration with the World Psychiatric Association-Lancet Commission on Depression. This launch is of significant importance, as depression is the largest burden of illness on the African continent. The report's recommendations are aimed at many stakeholders, including communities and individuals suffering from depression and their families; physicians and public health practitioners; researchers attempting to comprehend and manage depression; and policymakers and healthcare financiers. There is a need for concerted and united action to ensure that millions of people who live with depression in Africa get the attention they need to abate and/or prevent their suffering and to diminish depression-related suicidal tendencies and behaviour.
This year's Suicide Prevention Day theme is "Creating Hope Through Action". On September 30, we will have the opportunity to "live" screen the film This Bank of the River at the Aga Khan University campus in Karachi. The film, produced by Nighat Akbar Shah, is a narrative of hope amid a valley fraught with grief and despair. The film is thought-provoking and acts as a "lightning rod" to draw our attention to suicide prevention research. This complements our goal of establishing a Suicide Prevention Research and Interventions Center of Excellence, comprised of scientists, clinicians, and people with lived experience, that will conduct research to discover the most significant biological, psychological, and social factors influencing suicidal behaviour.
With the intention of raising culturally relevant awareness for brain health, BMI is in the preliminary stages of developing a similar film contextualized to East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania). Suicide is a global issue, and we want to address it in all geographies served by Aga Khan University.
Mental ill health is highly stigmatized, in large part due to the lack of understanding of what mental illnesses 'look like' and what causes them. Yet, people suffering from mental ill health can and do lead highly productive lives, as do people living with diabetes or cancer. To address this gap, we are delighted to announce the launch of our Mental Health Ambassadorship Micro-Certification Course this month. This course aims to be accessible to anyone, and there are no specific prerequsites or requirements for registration. The course is a hybrid of lectures, webinars by world experts and group discussions. The pilot course begins this fall. The objective is to create a movement of mental health ambassadors who will help reduce stigma, identify and support those in need, promoting mental wellbeing for all.
