Due to the mismanagement of the government, many citizens are unable to talk about anything but the economy and politics. At a time when even children criticize the government and suffer from the economy, the mental health of the society deteriorated for good.
According to the data of the Ministry of Health, the increase in the rate of antidepressant use by 70 percent in the 11-year period between 2009 and 2020 revealed the mental health of the society.
According to the same data, while 29 antidepressant drugs per 1000 people per day decreased in 2009, this figure increased to 49 in 2020.
Özgün Ergin, Member of the Ethics Committee of the Turkish Psychological Association, made important statements to our newspaper on the subject.
“FUNDAMENTAL PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT IS A HUMAN RIGHT”
"We observe an increase in psychological problems. Such an increase is undeniable. In order for the society to regain its health in an appropriate way, it is necessary to switch to a system where psychological health services of all segments can be accessed more easily. We are in favor of providing access to all health institutions by employing a sufficient number of psychologists. Basic psychological support is a human right. It's not just drug therapy. Of course, this is a very important and indispensable condition, but in order to overcome these psychological problems, whether or not they are treated with medication, people need to have easy access to psychological support services. And they need to be permanent," Psychologist Özgün Ergin, Member of the Ethics Committee of the Turkish Psychological Association said.
“THE MENTAL HEALTH LAW IS EXPECTED TO BE IMPLEMENTED SOON”
Psychologist Özgün Ergin continued his speech, "Psychological support services should be provided not only to patients but also to all segments of society in a preventive and protective sense. For this, there are psycho-educational and informational activities. Although there are enough psychology graduates in our country to carry out these, we see that the number of employment remains very low. There is also a mental health law that has not yet been enacted and is expected to be enacted soon. We think that these should be clearly regulated and defined there," he added.
“OUR PRIORITY IS TO PROVIDE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FREE OF CHARGE”
Expressing that psychological services should reach all segments, Psychologist Özgün Ergin said, "Suicide cases do not have to increase each year to address these issues. When we look at the rates, we see that there are many people who state that they have experienced suicide, drug use or any psychological problem, that they cannot reach a psychologist even though they need psychological support, and that they cannot get an appointment for psychological support from health institutions. Our priority is to provide psychological support free of charge by the state, considering that these services are available to all segments of the society and those who have the economic power who will not be able to receive the service to the greatest extent possible. In addition, we want an occupational law that determines which occupational group can and cannot do in terms of working conditions. We hope that Turkey will have a mental health law in line with international standards and we psychologists will have a professional law."