Jess P Shatkin1, Myron L Belfer2. 1. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Bellefield Towers 6th Floor, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. 2. Harvard Medical School and World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland. E-mail: shatkinjp@upmc.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Few policies designed specifically to support child and adolescent mental health exist worldwide. The absence of policy is a barrier to the development of coherent systems of mental healthcare for children and adolescents. METHOD: This study collected data on existing policies from international databases, WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in consultation with experts in child and adolescent psychiatry from around the world. A set of criteria for ranking the adequacy of these policies was developed. RESULTS: Though no single country was found to have a mental health policy strictly pertaining to children and adolescents alone, 35 countries (corresponding to 18% of countries worldwide) were found to have identifiable mental health policies, which may have some beneficial impact on children and adolescents. Though little has been achieved worldwide in this area, there has been a significant degree of movement towards policy development in the past 10 years. The policies identified vary greatly in terms of their provisions for delivering services, initiating research, training professionals, and educating the public. CONCLUSIONS: The development of mental health policies is feasible and would substantially aid in the expansion of service systems, the institutionalisation of culturally relevant data gathering, and the facilitation of funding.
BACKGROUND: Few policies designed specifically to support child and adolescent mental health exist worldwide. The absence of policy is a barrier to the development of coherent systems of mental healthcare for children and adolescents. METHOD: This study collected data on existing policies from international databases, WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in consultation with experts in child and adolescent psychiatry from around the world. A set of criteria for ranking the adequacy of these policies was developed. RESULTS: Though no single country was found to have a mental health policy strictly pertaining to children and adolescents alone, 35 countries (corresponding to 18% of countries worldwide) were found to have identifiable mental health policies, which may have some beneficial impact on children and adolescents. Though little has been achieved worldwide in this area, there has been a significant degree of movement towards policy development in the past 10 years. The policies identified vary greatly in terms of their provisions for delivering services, initiating research, training professionals, and educating the public. CONCLUSIONS: The development of mental health policies is feasible and would substantially aid in the expansion of service systems, the institutionalisation of culturally relevant data gathering, and the facilitation of funding.
Authors: D Shaffer; P Fisher; M K Dulcan; M Davies; J Piacentini; M E Schwab-Stone; B B Lahey; K Bourdon; P S Jensen; H R Bird; G Canino; D A Regier Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 1996-07 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: M Matsuura; Y Okubo; T Kojima; R Takahashi; Y F Wang; Y C Shen; C K Lee Journal: J Child Psychol Psychiatry Date: 1993-03 Impact factor: 8.982
Authors: R Giel; M V de Arango; C E Climent; T W Harding; H H Ibrahim; L Ladrido-Ignacio; R S Murthy; M C Salazar; N N Wig; Y O Younis Journal: Pediatrics Date: 1981-11 Impact factor: 7.124