Engagement for and Investment in Global Mental Health

¹Invited Professor for Mental Health at Tropical Neurology and Neuroinfection Master, International University of Catalonia (UIC), Barcelona, Spain

Corresponding Author: Sabine Bahrer-Kohler, Invited Professor for Mental Health at Tropical Neurology and Neuroinfection Master, International University of Catalonia (UIC), Barcelona, Spain, Tel: + 41 (0) 61 2054477; E-Mail: [email protected]

Received Date: 18 Aug 2016    
Accepted Date: 25 Aug 2016  
Published Date: 07 Sep 2016   

Copyright © 2016 Kohler B S

Citation: Bahrer-Kohler S. (2016). Engagement for and Invest- ment in Global Mental Health. Mathews J Psychiatry Ment Health. 1(2): 007.

ABSTRACT
Mental disorders around the globe remain low-priority, yet they concern so many people worldwide. The suffering that is caused by mental illness impacts the persons affected and their families as well as numerous aspects of life. In its Mental Health Action Plan as well as elsewhere, the WHO describes a variety of steps that should be taken worldwide, next to those that have been pointed out by actors in the field for years in publications. More must be done in the field of mental health. One important aspect in this context is stigmatization. We need differentiated statements, not arguments like the one that it is the fault of the affected persons themselves. It has been known for a long time that we need transdisciplinary collabo- ration at the national and international level, e.g. among the persons affected, their advocacy organizations, the decision- makers, and international organizations. Declarations will not do by themselves; they must be put into practice. Reports without binding commitments serve no purpose. What is needed is diversified expert competence, adequate educational facilities. On a worldwide average only a few per cent of health budgets are invested in mental health. Sustained investments from public and other funds are indispensable.

KEYWORDS

Global Mental Health; Global Engagement; Global Investment; Education; Social Determinants Of Mental Health; Stigmatization; Action Plans; Mental Health Policy.