HANK, one of the lead characters in CROSS OF WOTAN, suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder. But unlike most stories that feature someone with a mental illness, Hank is neither a victim or villain, he is our hero. 

 

But it is through the journey of our other lead, TERESA, that we are asked to face our own prejudices and fears about the mentally unwell. Through Teresa's story and character arc, CROSS OF WOTAN seeks to break stereotypes and stigmas around mental health and illnesses. 

 

These themes align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, specifically tackles SDG target 3.4, which states:

 

-By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

 

As we all know, however, mental health is impacted by and impacts many areas of individual lives and society, as exemplified in this quote by the World Health Organization:

 

“Mental disorders are one of the most significant public health challenges… They are the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of overall disease burden, following cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Action is necessary across sectors to promote mental health and well-being.”

 

To learn more about Mental Health and the SDGs as a whole, please check out this report by the WHO:

 

Fact sheet on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): health targets

 

As well as this article in Forbes:

 

The Role Of Mental Health In Global Sustainable Development

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