On the World Mental Health Day, WHO calls for dignity in mental health. Dignity in mental health means steps are taken to safeguard the well-being of people with mental health conditions, thus liberating them from the shackles of self-stigma, low confidence, low self-esteem, withdrawal and social isolation.

• More information on Mental Health
• Information sheet
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• Media Statement
• Story: Mental health care in India: restoring hope and dignity

WHO South-East Asia has 140 million visually impaired people and 12 million blind people. 80% of visual impairment is avoidable. Blindness prevention strategies and restoration of sight are among the most cost-effective interventions in health care.

World Sight Day, 8 October is an opportunity to raise public awareness against blindness and visual impairment, and advocate for designating more resources for national blindness prevention programmes.Together we can make VISION 2020, the global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness, a reality.

• Media Statement

Cardiovascular diseases cause an estimated 3.7 million deaths annually in the WHO South-East Asia Region. One third of these deaths is premature and occurs in people aged less than 70 years.

• Media Statement
• More information on World Heart Day 2015
• Story - WHO helping Bhutan battle NCDs, including heart disease and diabetes

Rabies kills nearly 25 000 people every year in the WHO South-East Asia Region which accounts for 45% of global deaths caused by the disease. Over 1.5 billion people in the Region are at risk of rabies infection.

The World Rabies Day this year focuses on making the elimination goal, set for 2020 in the WHO South-East Asia Region, a reality.

• Media Statement
• More information on rabies