Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Mental health atlas 2005
- Author:
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 540p.
- Place of publication:
- Geneva
- Edition:
- Rev. ed.
The World Health Organization Mental Health Atlas 2005 shows that global resources for people suffering from mental and neurological disorders are grossly insufficient to address the growing burden of mental health needs, and are unequally distributed around the world. The 2005 edition is an update of the first Mental Health Atlas 2001, and contains the most complete global data available on mental health resources. It shows no substantial change in global mental health resources since 2001, while there continue to be marked and growing differences in availability between high- and low-income countries. For example, while the survey of 192 countries does show a slight increase in the total number of psychiatrists from 3.96 to 4.15 per 100 000 people worldwide, distribution across regions ranges from 9.8 in Europe to just 0.04 in Africa. This disparity has increased since 2001. The Atlas notes that many countries continue to spend only a very small proportion of their total health budget on mental health. One fifth of the more than 100 countries supplying figures to the survey spend less than 1% of their health budget on mental health. This is in stark contrast to WHO's estimate that 13% of all disease burden is caused by the wide range of neuro-psychiatric disorders.
Preventing suicide: a global imperative
- Author:
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 89
- Place of publication:
- Geneva
This report provides a global knowledge base on suicide and suicide attempts as well as actionable steps for countries. It aims to encourage and support countries to develop or strengthen comprehensive suicide prevention strategies in a multisectoral public health approach. It proposes practical guidance on strategic actions that governments can take on the basis of their resources and existing suicide prevention activities. Over 800,000 people die due to suicide every year and it is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds. There are indications that for each adult who died of suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide. The report argues that suicides are preventable and that an effective strategy for preventing suicides and suicide attempts is to restrict access to the most common means, including pesticides, firearms and certain medications. Health-care services need to incorporate suicide prevention as a core component while early identification and effective management are key to ensuring that people receive the care they need. The report recognises that communities play a critical role in suicide prevention and can provide social support to vulnerable individuals and engage in follow-up care, fight stigma and support those bereaved by suicide. (Edited publisher abstract)
Quality improvement for mental health
- Author:
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 74p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Geneva
Mental health legislation is essential for protecting the rights of people with mental disorders, who comprise a vulnerable section of society. This module provides information to help guide the development of mental health legislation. The module begins by setting out the activities that are required before legislation is formulated. The content of legislation is then described, including substantive provisions for specific mental health legislation and legislation impacting on mental health. Process issues in mental health legislation are then outlined, including drafting procedures, consultation and the implementation of legislation. Part of a series on good practice in mental health care.
The mental health context
- Author:
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 46p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Geneva
This report describes the current global context of mental health. Beginning with an outline of the current burden of mental disorders, the module sets the stage by describing the historical background to the current situation and summarising recent developments in the understanding, treatment and care of people with mental disorders. An analysis is provided of trends in global health reform and their implications for mental health. To illustrate how these global trends can be addressed by governments, and to introduce the reader to the guidance package, a summary is then provided of the modules in the guidance package. This module will enable readers to gain an understanding of the global context of mental health and to select which modules will be useful to them in their particular situations. Part of a series on good practice in mental health care.
Mental health legislation and human rights
- Author:
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 49p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Geneva
Mental health legislation is necessary for protecting the rights of people with mental disorders, who are a vulnerable section of society. They face stigma, discrimination and marginalization in all societies, and this increases the likelihood that their human rightswill be violated. Mental disorders can sometimes affect people’s decision-making capacities and they may not always seek or accept treatment for their problems. Rarely, people with mental disorders may pose a risk to themselves and others because of impaired decision-making abilities. The risk of violence or harm associated with mental disorders is relatively small. Common misconceptions on this matter should not be allowed to influence mental health legislation. Mental health legislation can provide a legal framework for addressing critical issues such as the community integration of persons with mental disorders, the provision of care of high quality, the improvement of access to care, the protection of civil rights and the protection and promotion of rights in other critical areas such as housing, education and employment. Legislation can also play an important role in promoting mental health and preventing mental disorders. Mental health legislation is thus more than care and treatment legislation that is narrowly limited to the provision of treatment in institution-based health services. Part of a series on good practice in mental health care.
Advocacy for mental health
- Author:
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 54p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Geneva
Mental health advocacy is a relatively new concept, developed with a view to reducing stigma and discrimination, and promoting the human rights of people with mental disorders. It consists of various actions aimed at changing the major structural and attitudinal barriers to achieving positive mental health outcomes in populations. This module draws attention to the importance of advocacy in mental health policy and service development. The roles of various mental health groups in advocacy are outlined. Practical steps are then recommended, indicating how ministries of health can support advocacy. Part of a series on good practice in mental health care.
Trencin statement on prisons and mental health: adopted in Trencin, Slovakia on 18 October 2007
- Author:
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 32p.
- Place of publication:
- Copenhagen
The Trencin Statement draws the attention of all countries in Europe to the essential need for greater focus on mental health problems among people in custodial settings. Of the nine million prisoners world-wide, at least one million suffer from a significant mental disorder, and even more suffer from common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. There is often co-morbidity with conditions such as personality disorder, alcoholism and drug dependence. The Statement is a product of the WHO Health in Prisons Project work during 2007 where the focus was on mental health in prisons across the European Region. The project organized a mental health conference in Trencín, Slovakia in October 2007 where the Statement was adopted by the 28 European Member States that were present at the conference.
Child and adolescent mental health policies and plans
- Author:
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 68p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Geneva
The module outlines the steps to be followed in the development and implementation of a child and adolescent mental health policy and plan. Its goal is to assist countries to promote the healthy development of children and adolescents. The module describes how to develop a policy and plan using several sources of data: country information about the epidemiology of child and adolescent mental health problems, the existing financial and human resources available, the current service organisation and the views and attitudes of health workers. It then outlines the critical steps of formulating the vision, values, principles and the objectives of the policy, making use of an extensive consultation process with all stakeholders. In order to effectively implement the policy, a strategic plan should be developed, and guidance is provided on the key actions to be taken in this respect, including the formulation of strategies, associated activities, targets, indicators, resources and timeframes. Based on the latest evidence-based practice, the module provides a template that enables countries to address the comprehensive mental health needs of children and adolescents, across a range of sectors. Part of a series on good practice in mental health care.