GOVERNMENTS, AS the ultimate stewards of mental health, need to set policies within the context of general health systems and financing arrangements that will protect and improve the mental health of the population.
In terms of financing, people should be protected from catastrophic financial risk; the healthy should subsidise the sick; and the well-off should subsidise the poor.
Mental health policy should be reinforced by coherent alcohol and drug policies, as well as social welfare services such as housing. Policies should be drawn up with the involvement of all stakeholders and should be based on reliable information. Policies should ensure the respect of human rights and take account of the needs of vulnerable groups
Care should shift away from large psychiatric hospitals to community services that are integrated into general health services. Psychotropic drugs need to be available, and the required health workers need to be trained.
The mass media and public awareness campaigns can be effective in reducing stigma and discrimination. Non-governmental organisations and consumer groups should also be supported, as they can be instrumental in improving service quality and public attitudes.
From The World Health
Report, 2001.
