PHA-Exchange> Investing in Mental Health

[Claudio]

From: Ruggiero, Mrs. Ana Lucia (WDC) 
 EQUIDAD at LISTSERV.PAHO.ORG 


Investing in mental health.



Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence,

Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health
World Health Organization, Geneva. 2003



Available online as PDF file [52p.] at:

http://www.who.int/mental_health/media/en/investing_mnh.pdf 



".....Mental health has been hidden behind a curtain of stigma and discrimination for too long. It is time to bring it out into the open. The magnitude, suffering and burden in terms of disability and costs for individuals, families and societies are staggering. In the last few years, the world has become more aware of this enormous burden and the potential for mental health gains. We can make a difference using existing knowledge ready to be applied. We need to enhance our investment in mental health substantially and we need to do it now.



A higher proportion of national budgets should be allocated to developing adequate infrastructure and services for mental health. At the same time, more human resources are needed to provide care for those with mental disorders and to protect and promote mental health. Countries, especially those with limited resources, need to establish specifically targeted policies, plans and initiatives to promote and support mental health.



Who needs to invest? All of us with interest in the health and development of people and communities. This includes

international organizations, development aid agencies, trusts/foundations, businesses and governments.



It should be able to provide the much-needed services, treatment and support to a larger proportion of the nearly

450 million people suffering from mental disorders than they receive at present: services that are more effective and

more humane; treatments that help them avoid chronic disability and premature death; and support that gives them

a life that is healthier and richer - a life lived with dignity. We can also expect greater financial returns from increased

productivity and lower net costs of illness and care, apart from savings in other sector outlays.

Overall, this investment will result in individuals and communities who are better able to avoid or cope with the stresses

and conflicts that are part of everyday life, and who will therefore enjoy a better quality of life and better health.. [Lee Jong-wook, WHO Director].



The magnitude and burdens of the problem:

·         As many as 450 million people suffer from a mental or behavioural disorder.

·         Nearly 1 million people commit suicide every year.

·         Four of the six leading causes of years lived with disability are due to neuropsychiatric disorders 
(depression, alcohol-use disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder).

·         One in four families has at least one member with a mental disorder. Family members are often the primary caregivers of people with mental disorders. The extent of the burden of mental disorders on family members is difficult to assess and quantify, and is consequently often ignored. However, it does have a significant impact on the family's quality of life.

·         In addition to the health and social costs, those suffering from mental illnesses are also victims of human rights violations, stigma and discrimination, both inside and outside psychiatric institutions...."



Mental health context.
World Health Organization, 2003



Available online as PDF file [64p.] at: 
http://www.who.int/mental_health/resources/en/context.PDF 



This module is part of the WHO Mental Health Policy and Service guidance package, which provides practical information to assist countries to improve the mental health of their populations.

What is the purpose of the guidance package?

The purpose of the guidance package is to assist policy-makers and planners to:

- develop policies and comprehensive strategies for improving the mental health of populations;

- use existing resources to achieve the greatest possible benefits;

- provide effective services to those in need;

- assist the reintegration of persons with mental disorders into all aspects

of community life, thus improving their overall quality of life.

What is in the package?

The package consists of a series of interrelated user-friendly modules that are designed to address the wide variety of needs and priorities in policy development and service planning. The topic of each module represents a core aspect of mental health. The starting point is the module entitled The Mental Health Context, which outlines the global context

of mental health and summarizes the content of all the modules. This module should give readers an understanding of the global context of mental health, and should enable them to select specific modules that will be useful to them in their own situations. 

Mental Health Policy, Plans and Programmes is a central module, providing detailed information about the process of developing policy and implementing it through plans and programmes. Following a reading of this module, countries may wish to focus on specific aspects of mental health covered in other modules.

The guidance package includes the following modules:

- The Mental Health Context

- Mental Health Policy, Plans and Programmes

- Mental Health Financing

- Mental Health Legislation and Human Rights

- Advocacy for Mental Health

- Organization



ATLAS: Mapping Mental Health Resources in the World

Database available online at: http://www.cvdinfobase.ca/mh-atlas/ 

The web-based format is designed to make the information more dynamic and interactive. Information can be accessed and maps, tables and charts including country profiles can be generated according to one's choice. The data including the generated analyses can be printed and used. It is hoped that the web based format would facilitate analyses based on individual requirements for professionals, researchers, students, institutions and other organizations. 
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