Mental health systems in countries: where are we now?

dc.contributor.authorJacob K.
dc.contributor.authorSharan P.
dc.contributor.authorMirza I.
dc.contributor.authorGarrido-Cumbrera M.
dc.contributor.authorSeedat S.
dc.contributor.authorMari J.
dc.contributor.authorSreenivas V.
dc.contributor.authorSaxena S.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T15:57:03Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T15:57:03Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.description.abstractMore than 85% of the world's population lives in 153 low-income and middle-income countries (LAMICs). Although country-level information on mental health systems has recently become available, it still has substantial gaps and inconsistencies. Most of these countries allocate very scarce financial resources and have grossly inadequate manpower and infrastructure for mental health. Many LAMICs also lack mental health policy and legislation to direct their mental health programmes and services, which is of particular concern in Africa and South East Asia. Different components of mental health systems seem to vary greatly, even in the same-income categories, with some countries having developed their mental health system despite their low-income levels. These examples need careful scrutiny to derive useful lessons. Furthermore, mental health resources in countries seem to be related as much to measures of general health as to economic and developmental indicators, arguing for improved prioritisation for mental health even in low-resource settings. Increased emphasis on mental health, improved resources, and enhanced monitoring of the situation in countries is called for to advance global mental health. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
dc.description.versionReview
dc.identifier.citationLancet
dc.identifier.citation370
dc.identifier.citation9592
dc.identifier.issn1406736
dc.identifier.other10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61241-0
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/10182
dc.subjecthealth care cost
dc.subjecthealth care personnel
dc.subjecthealth care planning
dc.subjecthealth care policy
dc.subjecthealth care system
dc.subjecthealth program
dc.subjecthealth service
dc.subjecthuman
dc.subjectmental health care
dc.subjectpriority journal
dc.subjectreview
dc.subjectworld health organization
dc.subjectAnalysis of Variance
dc.subjectDatabases, Factual
dc.subjectEducational Status
dc.subjectHealth Expenditures
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectMental Disorders
dc.subjectMental Health Services
dc.subjectPopulation Surveillance
dc.subjectSocial Class
dc.subjectSuicide
dc.subjectUnited Nations
dc.subjectWorld Health
dc.titleMental health systems in countries: where are we now?
dc.typeReview
Files