Mental Health Service Provision in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. (24th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rathod, Shanaya; Pinninti, Narsimha; Irfan, Muhammed; Gorczynski, Paul; Rathod, Pranay; Gega, Lina; Naeem, Farooq
• Is Part Of: Health services insights. Volume 10(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-03-24
• Subjects: Mental health services -- low- and middle-income countries -- service provision; Medical care -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Delivery of Health Care; Quality of Health Care; Medical care; Public health; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1177/1178632917694350
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1178-6329

Abstract

This article discusses the provision of mental health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with a view to understanding the cultural dynamics–how the challenges they pose can be addressed and the opportunities harnessed in specific cultural contexts. The article highlights the need for prioritisation of mental health services by incorporating local population and cultural needs. This can be achieved only through political will and strengthened legislation, improved resource allocation and strategic organisation, integrated packages of care underpinned by professional communication and training, and involvement of patients, informal carers, and the wider community in a therapeutic capacity.