Publication: Mental Health
Date
2003-10
ISSN
Published
2003-10
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
The response on why to address mental
health, lies on the fact that neuropsychiatric disorders
account for an eleven percent of the global burden of
disease; that four, of the top ten causes of disability were
due to mental disorders; and, that depression is projected
to rank second among neurological disorders. Thus, the
catastrophic costs of mental disorders for individuals, and
families can tip them into poverty, and it is emphasized
that poor people are more likely to have symptoms of mental
disease. And, while myths about the causes of mental illness
abound, it is now known that these are caused by an
interaction of social, genetic, traumatic, and infectious
factors. As a starting point, the note indicates that an
increased awareness on the causes, prevention, and
interventions of mental disorders should be promoted, as
should increasing numbers of health workers, and providers
in such areas. It is also suggested that demand for mental,
and neurological services needs to be voiced, through health
education programs to combat the stigma, and raise awareness
of what mental disorders really are.
Citation
“World Bank. 2003. Mental Health. at a glance. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/d92ebefb-1dbb-5edf-9800-af1fd27c9985 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”