Integrating mental health into primary care
Subtitle: a global perspective.
Contributors: World Health Organization; World Organisation of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians
Publisher: World Health Organization; Wonca
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Geneva, Switzerland; London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 206
ISBN-13: 9789241563680
Subjects: Mental health services; Primary care (Medicine); Integrated delivery of health care; Mental Health Services -- organization & administration; Primary Health Care -- organization & administration; case studies (form subheading); Switzerland (country of publication)
Other titles: Integrating mental health into primary health care
Description: This report on integrating mental health into primary care presents the justification and advantages of providing mental health services in primary care. At the same time, it provides advice on how to implement and scale-up primary care for mental health, and describes how a range of health systems have successfully undertaken this transformation. This report is divided into distinct parts. Part 1 provides the context for understanding primary care for mental health within the broader health care system. Part 2 explains how to successfully integrate mental health into primary care and highlights 10 common principles which are central to this effort. It also presents 12 detailed case examples to illustrate how a range of health systems have undertaken this transformation. Finally, Annex 1 provides information about the skills and competencies that are required to effectively assess, diagnose, treat, support and refer people with mental disorders. As this report will show, treating mental disorders as early as possible, holistically and close to the person's home and community lead to the best health outcomes. In addition, primary care offers unparalled opportunities for the prevention of mental disorders and mental health promotion, for family and community education, and for collaboration with other sectors.--Publisher's description
Notes: "This report on integrating mental health into primary care, which was developed jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization of Family Doctors (Wonca), presents the justification and advantages of providing mental health services in primary care. At the same time, it provides advice on how to implement and scale-up primary care for mental health, and describes how a range of health systems have successfully undertaken this transformation. Mental disorders affect hundreds of millions of people and, if left untreated, create an enormous toll of suffering, disability and economic loss. Yet despite the potential to successfully treat mental disorders, only a small minority of those in need receive even the most basic treatment. Integrating mental health services into primary care is the most viable way of closing the treatment gap and ensuring that people get the mental health care they need. Primary care for mental health is affordable, and investments can bring important benefits. " - p. 1

Includes bibliographical references.

Also available online at: http://www.who.int/mental_health/resources/mentalhealth_PHC_2008.pdf.
Table of contents: title: PART 1: Primary care for mental health in context; title: Chapter 1. Primary care for mental health within a pyramid of health care; title: Chapter 2. Seven good reasons for integrating mental health into primary care; title: PART 2: Primary care for mental health in practice; title: Introduction; title: Argentina: Physician-led primary care for mental health in Neuquén province, Patagonia region; title: Australia: Integrated mental health care for older people in general practices of inner-city Sydney; title: Brazil: Integrated primary care for mental health in the city of Sobral; title: Chile: Integrated primary care for mental health in the Macul district of Santiago; title: India: Integrated primary care for mental health in the Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala State; title: Islamic Republic of Iran: Nationwide integration of mental health into primary care; title: Saudi Arabia: Integrated primary care for mental health in the Eastern Province; title: South Africa: Integrated primary care services and a partnership for mental health primary care; title: Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province, and Moorreesburg District, Western Cape Province; title: Uganda: Integrated primary care for mental health in the Sembabule District; title: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Primary care for mental health for disadvantaged communities in London; title: Report conclusions; title: Annex 1: Improving the practice of primary care for mental health