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Stigma and discrimination against older people with mental disorders in Europe
- Author:
- LIMA Carlos A. de Mendonca
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(8), August 2003, pp.679-682.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The European Office of the World Health Organization (WHO/EURO) has established a Task Force On Destigmatization. Upon the release of the Technical Statement on Old Age Psychiatry Reducing stigma and discrimination against older people with mental disorders, the Task Force run a small survey in two European subregions to investigate the extent of stigma and discrimination with reference to the elderly person affected from a psychiatric disorder in the countries of those subregions. WHO/EURO mental health counterparts completed a short questionnaire inquiring on the inclusion of epidemiological studies on the elderly in their country's research program; the time devoted to the teaching to old age psychiatry during psychiatric residence; the degree of coverage of services for the elderly person and their caregivers; and the extent of stigma present in society with regard to three psychiatric disorders. Stigma and discrimination seem to be present both in the health sector and among the public at large. The development of effective health and social facilities to support older persons with mental disorders should be a high priority of any strategy to reduce stigma and discrimination. These facilities should coordinate their efforts with those of other sectors of society to reach the highest possible impact.
The European WHO mental health programme and the World Health Report 2001: input and implications
- Author:
- RUTZ Wolfgang
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 183(7), July 2003, pp.73-74.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The World Health Report 2001, subtitled Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope, has so far been presented in many member states at meetings with governmental participation and it continues to play a crucial role. It focuses on decentralisation and the need to establish community-based mental health services, giving the mentally vulnerable access to treatment at home, and utilising their social networks, existential identity and psychological environment. It focuses on the need for individual and societal empowerment, and public education about mental health, as well as the education of mental health professionals, family doctors, families and the social sector. It underlines the extreme and still increasing burden of depression and suicide and the need for inter-disciplinary teamwork. It advocates national mental health development, evidence-oriented research and awareness-raising activities.