OBJECTIVE: To show that mental illness affects everyone in society, describe some of the main obstacles to better outcomes, and build confidence that they can be overcome. METHODS: A review and analysis of relevant evidence and experience combined with personal advocacy. RESULTS: Mental illnesses are common and seriously under-treated, reform of the system of care has completely stalled, and insidious reinstitutionalization of the modernized system is occurring. A number of contributing factors and possible solutions are identified, including mental health literacy and advocacy campaigns, a focus on young people and early intervention, and functional reintegration of the treatment of mental and substance use disorders. CONCLUSIONS: A new wave of reform and major financial investment in the treatment of mental and substance use disorders is overdue. This can be best achieved by combining the evidence-based health care (EBHC) paradigm with a direct appeal to the self-interest of members of the general community. A National Institute of Mental Health and Addiction should be a key element of such reform, which must be a continuing process with substantially increased federal and State funding.
OBJECTIVE: To show that mental illness affects everyone in society, describe some of the main obstacles to better outcomes, and build confidence that they can be overcome. METHODS: A review and analysis of relevant evidence and experience combined with personal advocacy. RESULTS: Mental illnesses are common and seriously under-treated, reform of the system of care has completely stalled, and insidious reinstitutionalization of the modernized system is occurring. A number of contributing factors and possible solutions are identified, including mental health literacy and advocacy campaigns, a focus on young people and early intervention, and functional reintegration of the treatment of mental and substance use disorders. CONCLUSIONS: A new wave of reform and major financial investment in the treatment of mental and substance use disorders is overdue. This can be best achieved by combining the evidence-based health care (EBHC) paradigm with a direct appeal to the self-interest of members of the general community. A National Institute of Mental Health and Addiction should be a key element of such reform, which must be a continuing process with substantially increased federal and State funding.
Authors: Lorena Fernández de la Cruz; Sarah Kolvenbach; Pablo Vidal-Ribas; Amita Jassi; Marta Llorens; Natasha Patel; John Weinman; Stephani L Hatch; Dinesh Bhugra; David Mataix-Cols Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2015-10-24 Impact factor: 4.328