Submitted by Armen Hareyan on Oct 9th, 2007
Mental ill health accounts for almost 20% of the burden of disease in the European Region and mental health problems affect one in four people at some time in life. Nine of the ten countries with the highest rates of suicide in the world are in the European Region.
Much is now known about what works in mental health promotion, prevention, care and treatment. The challenge is now to implement this knowledge.
Services and practice do not always reflect the knowledge of what works in mental health care and treatment. Many countries have limited community-based mental health services and little specialist help for young or elderly people. Many people in large mental institutions are subject to neglect and abuse of human rights, reflected in high mortality rates. Stigma and prejudice are widespread and affect every aspect of mental health, including whether people seek and receive help.
Source:
WHO Regional Office For Europe 