scholarly journals Improving Mental Health Care as the Most Pressing Public Health Issue

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 184-194
Author(s):  
N. Akpysharov

Mental disorders are an acute public health problem in the WHO European region, affecting 25% the entire population every year. WHO activities in the area of mental health promotion at the level of individuals and society as a whole are aimed at improving human mental well-being, preventing mental disorders, protecting human rights and caring for people with mental disorders. The WHO European Conference on Mental Health (2005), 66th Session of the World Health Assembly (2013), 63rd Session of the WHO European Regional Committee (2013) have focused on mental health. In the Kyrgyz Republic, the State policy to change the system of assistance to persons with mental disabilities, to establish a unified mental health service and to change the attitude of society towards mental health and the mentally ill is reflected in the National Program Mental health of the population of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2001–2010, the National Health Reform Program of the Kyrgyz Republic Den Sooluk for 2012–2018, for the Sustainable Development Goals up to 2030, adopted at the Summit by UN members, the Program for Mental Health Protection of the Population of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2018-2030. Given the negative trends in the mental health care system, an important element in addressing the shortcomings is the increased use of new institutional forms of mental health care, such as the Medical Rehabilitation Unit, Intensive Mental Health Care Unit, Psychiatric Dispensaries and Outpatient Psychiatric Rooms, in dispensary monitoring. Priority in the further development of psychiatric care should be given to the most effective and less costly forms of its provision, ahead of the development of outpatient level, inter-agency interaction and integration of psychiatric service with other levels of regional health and social protection.

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S606-S606
Author(s):  
T. Galako

Providing comprehensive, integrated services in the field of mental health in primary health care (PHC) is a component of the state mental health program for the population of the Kyrgyz republic (KR) in the 2017–2030 biennium. In order to develop an action plan in this area a situational analysis of resources of psychiatric care at PHC level was carried out. There was revealed a significant deficit of specialists, such as family doctors, mental health care professionals. In spite of the need for 3,300 family doctors, only 1706 work, and 80% of them are of retirement age.The results of a research showed a low level of knowledge and skills of family physicians for the early detection of mental disorders and provision of appropriate medical care. There are also a limited number of psychiatrists, especially in rural regions (77% of the required quantity).During recent years, there have been implemented significant changes in the system of mental health services, aimed at improving its quality, the approach to the place of residence of the patient and the prevalence of psychosocial services.Since 2016 in 8 southern regions in the Kyrgyz Republic has been introduced a new model for the provision of comprehensive health care services. Piloting this model involves psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with mental disorders, the help of mobile teams at the place of patient residence, as well as psychoeducation, training, and support to family doctors. These and other measures will help to optimise mental health care at PHC level.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S620-S620
Author(s):  
K. Bazaid

War is the most serious of all threats to health (World Health Organization, 1982) and can have severe and lasting impacts on mental health. Forced displacement and migration generate risks to mental well-being, which can result in psychiatric illness. Yet, the majority of refugees do not develop psychopathology. Rather, they demonstrate resilience in the face of tremendous adversity. The influx of Syrian refugees to Canada poses challenges to the health care system. We will present our experience to date in the Ottawa region, including a multisector collaborative effort to provide settlement and health services to newly arriving refugees from the Middle East and elsewhere. The workshop will be brought to life by engaging with clinical cases and public health scenarios that present real world clinical challenges to the provision of mental health care for refugees.Objectives(1) Understand the predicament of refugees including risks to mental health, coping strategies and mental health consequences, (2) know the evidence for the emergence of mental illness in refugees and the effectiveness of multi-level interventions, (3) become familiar with published guidelines and gain a working knowledge of assessment and management of psychiatric conditions in refugee populations and cultural idioms of distress.How will the participants receive feedback about their learning? Participants will have direct feedback through answers to questions. The authors welcome subsequent communication by email. Presenters can give attendants handouts on pertinent and concise information linked to the workshop.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


Author(s):  
Benedetto Saraceno

The twentieth century has witnessed significant improvements in somatic health in most countries. A number of key public health threats have been eradicated or brought under control under the leadership of WHO. Priority was given to communicable diseases in view of their inherent potential to spreading. At the present time, a focus on non-communicable diseases and mental health would now appear as the next natural step in public health priorities. In the case of mental health, this is due to the capacity of mental disorders to proliferate not only as a result of complex and multiple biological, psychological but also social determinants. WHO estimates that at any given time 450 million people suffer from some form of mental or brain disorder, including alcohol and substance use disorders. In other words, one in four of the world’s population suffer from different forms of mental, behavioural, and neurological disorders. This chapter looks at the economic and social costs of mental disorders, global resources for mental health, the treatment gap for mental disorders, and improving mental health care.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yamini Gowda P.C ◽  
Sandra Sunitha Lobo

There exists a global human rights emergency in mental health. The stigma, myths and misconceptions associated with mental disorders negatively affect the lives of people with mental disorders leading to denial of even the most basic human rights. Worldwide, people with mental disabilities experience an ambit of human rights violations. They are denied access to basic mental health care and treatment. They are not only discriminated against and stigmatized but are also subjected to abuse in both mental health facilities and the community. Several violations in community-based mental health care go unreported. Victims of discrimination are particularly vulnerable to restrictions in economic, social and cultural rights that make it difficult to be integrated into mainstream society. A sense of alienation can affect a person’s dignity and self-esteem, which is detrimental to one’s well-being. A qualitative approach was employed to understand the role of youth in promoting and protecting human rights in mental health. A Focus Group Discussion was done on a sample of 10 respondents who willing first BA students of Psychology – 2 males and 8 females aged 18–20 years. Results were analyzed using narratives. The objectives were to understand the threats to dignity in mental health care and ways to promote it. It was expressed that mental health inequalities lie even outside the health sector and thus inter-sectoral action is required to redress the issue. It was advocated to raise mental health issues on the agenda of political, religious and community arenas. Health facilities ought to be person-centred, privacy maintained, equitable and equal. The study has implications for mental health professionals to be more humane and ethical in practice and improve quality health care. Besides, mental health literacy should be imparted at various levels of education.


2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 25-30
Author(s):  
J. C. Meyer ◽  
M. Matlala ◽  
A. Chigome

Mental health is an integral part of health and it includes an individual’s emotional, psychological and social well-being. Mental illness remains underreported and underdiagnosed, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, including South Africa. South Africa carries a huge burden of mental illnesses with the most prevalent being anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, mood disorders and depression. People with mental health conditions often face neglect in the health system as well as stigma and discrimination. This has resulted in poor health outcomes, isolation and high suicide rates, including amongst adolescents. The South African National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan (2013–2020) aims to integrate mental health into the health system to provide quality mental health services that are accessible, equitable and comprehensive, particularly for community-based mental health. This article provides an overview of mental health care in South Africa, highlighting its public health importance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 417-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Sing Sun ◽  
Tai Pong Lam ◽  
Dan Wu

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for integration of mental health into primary care for a decade. In Western countries, around 15% to 25% of patients with common mental disorders including mood and anxiety disorders seek help from primary care physicians (PCPs). The rate is only about 5% in China. Aims: This article reviews the Chinese findings on the barriers to primary care for common mental disorders and how they compared with Western findings. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted, focusing on literature published from mid-1990s in English or Chinese. Patient, PCP and health system factors were reviewed. Results: Although Chinese and Western findings show similar themes of barriers, the Chinese have stronger barriers in most aspects, including under-recognition of the need for treatment, stigma on mental illness, somatization, worries about taking psychiatric drugs, uncertainties in the role, competency and legitimacy of PCPs in mental health care and short consultation time. Conclusion: Current policies in China emphasize enhancement of mental health facilities and workforce in the community. Our review suggests that patients’ intention to seek help and PCPs’ competency in mental health care are other fundamental factors to be addressed.


2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 989-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viviane Kovess-Masfety ◽  
◽  
Anne Dezetter ◽  
Ron de Graaf ◽  
Joseph Maria Haro ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Stimac Grbic ◽  
I Pavic Simetin ◽  
A Istvanovic

Abstract Issue Care for people with severe mental disorders requires approach that is focused on a person's strengths, not his weaknesses, and is a shift from a deficit model that is often associated with mental illness. Care users and their family members play an important role in this approach. Description of the Problem Mental disorders are the leading group of diseases in Croatia, according to the number of days of hospital treatment. The number of hospitalizations is high, and the rate of hospitalization for depression has tripled in the last twenty years. Such indicators highlight the need for reorientation of mental health care, from hospital-based to community-based, by organizing mobile community intervention teams. Results In Croatia, psychosocial peer teams were established by the NGO Ludruga, financed by local government, to provide peer support to persons with mental disorders. The main activities are: development of a personal recovery plan, home visits and providing psychological support to persons with mental disorders, organizing support groups and education of peer workers. The teams consist of a peer worker, social worker, psychologist, and operate under the supervision of a psychiatrist. The teams have been operating for five years, have had over a hundred users so far and are a significant help to the healthcare system in preventing rehospitalizations. Lessons The goal of therapeutic interventions in mental health care should be recovery. Recovery involves empowering a person to take responsibility for themselves and their health. Peer workers play an important role in the recovery process, providing hope for recovery. Their role must also be recognized by the health system. Key messages People with mental disorders and their families should be co-creators of care and recovery-oriented interventions. Only by comprehensive interventions, tackling all determinants of health, therapeutic goal can be achieved.


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