Mental health services: the African gap

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Wilson ◽  
Mohammad Taghi Yasamy ◽  
Jodi Morris ◽  
Atieh Novin ◽  
Khalid Saeed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
World Health ◽  
Treatment Gap ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World

Purpose – Neuropsychiatric disorders account for a substantial proportion of disease burden and disability in Africa. Despite this, mental health systems are under-resourced in Africa, as in most parts of the world, creating a “treatment gap” and denying the African population the right to mental health achieved through access to mental health services. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The mental health systems of African countries were compared with figures for all low- and middle-income countries (LAMICS) using data from the World Health Organization Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems. Comparable global figures were also available for some indicators from the WHO's World Mental Health Atlas 2011. Findings – Selected indicators of mental health systems are presented for 14 African countries and shows that they are lower as compared to figures for all other LAMICS and also global figures. The treatment gap for mental disorders is much higher in Africa than comparable global figures. For example, the treatment gap for mood disorders has been estimated from 95 to 100 per cent for some African countries. Originality/value – There is an imbalance between need and service provision in the area of mental health across the world but particularly in Africa. Despite this, there are a greater number of outpatient than inpatient services in Africa which provides an opportunity for development of community-based services. There are also many encouraging examples of effective approaches to reducing the burden of neuropsychiatic disease in Africa.

Optimization of community-based mental health services: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-239
Author(s):  
Ahmad Anas Almi ◽  
Jamilah Hanum Abdul Khaiyom
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Facilitating Factors

Purpose This paper aims to review the literature of community-based mental health services (CMHS) optimization in Malaysia that focus on the aspects of perceived challenges or barriers and facilitating factors for community-based mental health centre (CMHC). Design/methodology/approach Relevant peer-reviewed literature was identified and being reviewed in three databases and one local journal. Findings Nine studies were eligible for inclusion and the extracted data were summarized into a narrative review. The evidence provided for what constituting an optimal implementation of CMHS in Malaysia appeared lacking. However, there are adequate recommendations and suggestions on the component of facilitating factors; on how to increase service user’s engagement towards the improvement of mental health systems. Research limitations/implications Research in the literature had focussed on the optimization aspects from the perspective of the service user. Additionally, this had been discussed through the lens of a variety of mental health systems and not specifically on the community-based perspectives. Originality/value This current systematic review provides valuable and important evidence that further explorations of the existing experiences of the mental health care professionals in delivering CMHS in Malaysia CMHC. The review serves as the foundation for future research to explain the local explanatory framework on what are the best practise models for local CMHS.

scholarly journals European comparisons between mental health services

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Wahlbeck
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Data ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mental Health Systems

When developing accessible, affordable and effective mental health systems, exchange of data between countries is an important moving force towards better mental health care. Unfortunately, health information systems in most countries are weak in the field of mental health, and comparability of data is low.Special international data collection exercises, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) Atlas Project and the WHO Baseline Project have provided valuable insights in the state of mental health systems in countries, but such single-standing data collections are not sustainable solutions. Improvements in routine data collection are urgently needed. The European Commission has initiated major improvements to ensure harmonized and comprehensive health data collection, by introducing the European Community Health Indicators set and the European Health Interview Survey. However, both of these initiatives lack strength in the field of mental health. The neglect of the need for relevant and valid comparable data on mental health systems is in conflict with the importance of mental health for European countries and the objectives of the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy.The need for valid and comparable mental health services data is today addressed only by single initiatives, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development work to establish quality indicators for mental health care. Real leadership in developing harmonized mental health data across Europe is lacking. A European Mental Health Observatory is urgently needed to lead development and implementation of monitoring of mental health and mental health service provision in Europe.

scholarly journals Situational Analysis of Mental Health System in The West Region of Cameroon Using The World Health Organization’s Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO-AIMS)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toguem guy michael ◽  
Manassi KUMAR ◽  
David NDETEI ◽  
Francois Erero NJENGOUE ◽  
Frederick OWITI
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
The West ◽  
West Region ◽  
The World ◽  
Mental Health Facilities

Abstract Background The burden of mental illnesses is increasing in Cameroon and there is no available published work on the mechanisms put in place to address this issue. The government recognizes this burden and tries to feel the gap. In line to this, this study aimed at describing the mental health services available in West Cameroon to provide an evidence based support to this process. Method We used the world health organization assessment instrument for mental health systems (WHO-AIMS) version 2.2 to collect, analyze, and report, data on mental health services offered in 2020 in the west region of Cameroon. We extracted our data from the registers of the different mental health facilities of the region and we interviewed staffs in these facilities and at the ministry of public health. Results The region is divided into 20 health districts, of which 06 offered mental health services. As a whole, Cameroon had a mental health policy, mental health plan, but no mental health legislation and emergency plan. There was no specific budget for mental health in the country. In the west region of Cameroon, there was no psychiatrist. Mental health services were offered by nurses, psychologists, general practitioner and neurologists; representing 1.87 human resources in mental health facilities per 100,000 population, of which 1.4 were nurses. 1 in 1.4 of these nurses worked in the main city. There was no formal link of mental health services with other sectors and no publication in the previous 5 years about mental health in the region referenced on PubMed. Conclusion In 2020, access too mental health services in the west region of Cameroon was unequitable, and was not supported by scientific evidence.

scholarly journals Covid-19, child and adolescent mental health – Croatian (in)experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 214-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomislav Franic ◽  
Katarina Dodig-Curkovic
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
World Health ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
The World

AbstractThe Covid-19 pandemic has caused unseen socio-economic changes all over the world, where enormous efforts are being made to preserve lives and maintain functional health systems. A secondary concern is to mitigate the severe economic consequences of the crisis. Different approaches have been adopted with varying outcomes and experiences. But regardless of the different approaches taken, one thing is common for all societies during this pandemic: fear and anxiety. This fear extends from concerns about the present situation, for the health and well-being of family members and loved ones from Covid-19 infection, to fears relating to how long the crisis will last, to the potential economic consequences of the pandemic (perhaps not seen in our lifetimes) and the ultimate fear of future uncertainty. Across the world, health systems are being faced with unprecedented challenges. At their core, these challenges are the same: how to beat Covid-19. Certainly, there are differences in how individual systems are organized and how they address the main issues arising from the pandemic while not forgetting the ongoing healthcare needs of the general population. In this paper, we share some perspectives from Croatia regarding Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHs) in these extraordinary circumstances. We give our personal insights on deficiencies in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services prior to the arrival of Covid-19, which have contributed to difficulties in mitigating and managing the ongoing crisis.

scholarly journals The balance of adult mental health care: provision of core health versus other types of care in eight European countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Cetrano ◽  
L. Salvador-Carulla ◽  
F. Tedeschi ◽  
L. Rabbi ◽  
M. R. Gutiérrez-Colosía ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Services

Abstract Aims Although many mental health care systems provide care interventions that are not related to direct health care, little is known about the interfaces between the latter and core health care. ‘Core health care’ refers to services whose explicit aim is direct clinical treatment which is usually provided by health professionals, i.e., physicians, nurses, psychologists. ‘Other care’ is typically provided by other staff and includes accommodation, training, promotion of independence, employment support and social skills. In such a definition, ‘other care’ does not necessarily mean being funded or governed differently. The aims of the study were: (1) using a standard classification system (Description and Evaluation of Services and Directories in Europe for Long Term Care, DESDE-LTC) to identify ‘core health’ and ‘other care’ services provided to adults with mental health problems; and (2) to investigate the balance of care by analysing the types and characteristics of core health and other care services. Methods The study was conducted in eight selected local areas in eight European countries with different mental health systems. All publicly funded mental health services, regardless of the funding agency, for people over 18 years old were identified and coded. The availability, capacity and the workforce of the local mental health services were described using their functional main activity or ‘Main Types of Care’ (MTC) as the standard for international comparison, following the DESDE-LTC system. Results In these European study areas, 822 MTCs were identified as providing core health care and 448 provided other types of care. Even though one-third of mental health services in the selected study areas provided interventions that were coded as ‘other care’, significant variation was found in the typology and characteristics of these services across the eight study areas. Conclusions The functional distinction between core health and other care overcomes the traditional division between ‘health’ and ‘social’ sectors based on governance and funding. The overall balance between core health and other care services varied significantly across the European sites. Mental health systems cannot be understood or planned without taking into account the availability and capacity of all services specifically available for this target population, including those outside the health sector.

scholarly journals Good Practices in Mental Health

1989 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-192
Author(s):  
Judy Renshaw
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
World Health ◽  
World Federation ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Good Mental Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Health Organization

Good Practices in Mental Health (GPMH) is a national charity set up to disseminate information about local mental health services which are found to work well. Its general aim is to promote and assist the development of good mental health services. By providing an exchange of information about effective services in both hospitals and the community, GPMH encourages others to build on what is already proving successful. GPMH developed from a survey of mental health in big cities carried out by the International Hospital Federation (IHF) and was set up in 1977 with the support of the IHF, MIND and the King's Fund. It has the backing of all the major professional organisations concerned with mental health in the United Kingdom, the World Health Organization and the World Federation for Mental Health internationally. It is now funded mainly by the DHSS; some funding comes from the London Boroughs Grants Committee and charitable sources. There are three units within the organisation: information, development and evaluation.

scholarly journals Depression: International intervention for a global problem

2004 ◽  
Vol 184 (5) ◽  
pp. 379-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike. J. Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Health Organization

Since 1948 the World Health Organization has had the challenging task of trying to achieve ‘the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health’ (World Health Organization, 1946). A central part of this work has involved assessing the extent of health-related problems in different parts of the world and advocating for the implementation of effective strategies to address these problems. For many years the World Health Organization has expressed concerns about the relatively low level of funding assigned to mental health services in many countries. Estimates based on data collected in 2000 show that in most of sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia there are fewer than one mental health nurse and one psychiatrist per 100 000 people (World Health Organization, 2001). Two papers produced with the support of the World Health Organization and published in this issue of the Journal strengthen the argument for additional funding for mental health services. In the first paper, üstün and colleagues (2004, this issue) summarise data on the relative impact of common health-related problems in different regions of the world, and in an accompanying paper Chisholm and others (2004, this issue) estimate the cost-effectiveness of different interventions for depression in these different areas.

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