Full access
Columns
Published Online: 1 February 2011

Focus on Global Mental Health: Mental Health Services in 42 Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A WHO-AIMS Cross-National Analysis

Shekhar Saxena, M.D., Antonio Lora, M.D., Jodi Morris, Ph.D., Annamaria Berrino, M.A., Patricia Esparza, Ph.D., Thomas Barrett, Ph.D., Mark van Ommeren, Ph.D., and Benedetto Saraceno, M.D.Authors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric Services
Volume 62, Number 2
https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.62.2.pss6202_0123
PDF/EPUBformats

Abstract

Objective:

The authors describe characteristics and capacities of mental health systems in low- and middle-income countries.

Methods:

The World Health Organization Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems was used to assess services in 42 countries (13 low-, 24 lower-middle, and five upper-middle income).

Results:

Of 36 countries with a mental health plan, 90% include the goal of developing community services. However, inpatient facilities are the main service providers, with less than one community contact (.70) for each inpatient day. Mental hospitals consume 80% of mental health budgets, and outpatient care is limited.

Conclusions:

Mental health services in participating countries are limited and often hospital based. (Psychiatric Services 62:123–125, 2011)

Formats available

You can view the full content in the following formats:

View PDF/ePubView Full Text

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric Services
Go to Psychiatric Services
Cover: Mountain Scene, by Albert Bierstadt, 1880-1890. Oil on paper, 14¾ × 21 inches. Gift of Mrs. J. Augustus Barnard, 1979, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Image © the Metropolitan Museum of Art/Art Resource, New York.
Psychiatric Services
Volume 62 • Number 2 • February 2011
Pages: 123 - 125
PubMed: 21285088

History

Published online: 1 February 2011
Published in print: February 2011

Authors

Affiliations

Shekhar Saxena, M.D.
Except for Dr. Barrett, the authors are affiliated with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva.
View all articles by this author
Antonio Lora, M.D.
Except for Dr. Barrett, the authors are affiliated with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva.
View all articles by this author
Jodi Morris, Ph.D.
Except for Dr. Barrett, the authors are affiliated with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva.
View all articles by this author
Annamaria Berrino, M.A.
Except for Dr. Barrett, the authors are affiliated with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva.
View all articles by this author
Patricia Esparza, Ph.D.
Except for Dr. Barrett, the authors are affiliated with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva.
View all articles by this author
Thomas Barrett, Ph.D.
Dr. Barrett is with the Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado.
View all articles by this author
Mark van Ommeren, Ph.D.
Except for Dr. Barrett, the authors are affiliated with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva.
View all articles by this author
Benedetto Saraceno, M.D.
Except for Dr. Barrett, the authors are affiliated with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva.
View all articles by this author

Notes

Send correspondence to Dr. Morris at WHO, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland (e-mail: [email protected]). Howard H. Goldman, M.D., Ph.D., served as editor of this column.

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

There are no citations for this item

View Options

View options

PDF/ePub

View PDF/ePub

Full Text

View Full Text

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login
Item saved, go to cart
Purchase Options

Purchase this article to access the full text.

PPV Articles - Psychiatric Services

PPV Articles - Psychiatric Services

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share