Mental health is a universal human right.
“Mental health must be squarely placed in a human rights framework to re-cast the aspiration for sound mental health as a fundamental human right. Ensuring access to mental health services must be an obligation and responsibility of state and global organisations which can no longer be ignored.” Nasser Loza, WFMH President.
Loss of independence and isolation caused by sight impairment can lead to depression and anxiety. However, where depression or anxiety predate sight loss, impaired sight can significantly worsen the experience of mental ill health.
As patients with sight loss can encounter barriers to mental health support it is essential that GPs and Mental Health practitioners are aware of the challenges they experience as these can cause or exacerbate mental ill health. This might be due to communication and travel difficulties involved in social interaction, frustrations experienced when tackling everyday activities, or because of role changes which put a strain on finances and relationships.
Engagement with patients with impaired sight can also present challenges. As relationships between practitioners and patients are largely formed by non-verbal cues, eye contact and body language, when eye contact is not possible, individuals with poor mental health might struggle to form a relationship with their practitioner. This will have an impact on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions.
In addition, written material, such as information leaflets or appointment letters, may be inaccessible, whilst travelling to appointments and accessing service premises, might also present difficulties.
Greater awareness of sight impairment and a commitment to reducing barriers to support will significantly improve the mental health of patients with sight loss.
Sight loss awareness training for workforces is available from EYECAN. Tel: 864689 / email: info@eyecan.je
[Image of a woman comforting another young woman by holding both her hands as they are seated on a couch. The following words are written in white: 10th October, World Mental Health Day]
