MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS FOR TAX PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Globally, more than 70% of people with mental health disorders receive no treatment from mental health professionals. Little is known about their overall mental health awareness or their literacy level. Tax professionals are among groups that could avoid mental health support and treatment or delay before presenting for care. Factors responsible for this attitude or behaviour include lack of knowledge to identify features of mental disorders, ignorance about how to get access to treatment, prejudice against who have mental disorders, and expectation of discrimination against them if finally diagnosed with a mental disorder. This paper reviews the global mental health situation, concept of mental health awareness, mental health awareness in Nigeria, the economic implications of mental health issues, and proffers suggestions for improving mental health awareness, especially, among tax professionals.