The Lancet: Mental Health for All – A Global Goal

More than 1 billion people – one out of every seven worldwide – suffer from mental or substance-use disorders. The suffering has consequences for entire communities, and treatment varies worldwide. “Human rights violations remain common and people with mental disorders are often marginalised and even abused, with large numbers of people forcefully detained or locked away in institutions,” explains a report from the Lancet. “There is little evidence of any reduction in the treatment gap: surveys from China and India – home to a third of the world's population – suggest that more than 80% of people with a mental or substance use disorder do not seek treatment.” Spending is low even in advanced economies. The Lancet Commission on global mental health offers four recommendations: training of non-specialist health workers for delivery of treatment in under-served areas; increased reliance on digital technologies for education, training providers and making diagnoses; increased coordination by hospitals and community organizations; and increased community-based interventions for early detection and reduced stigmatization. The series of articles points to the value of international networks for education, training and treatment. Overall health requires good mental health. Tackling the challenges depends on sustainable investment and stability from political leaders rather than austerity and divisiveness that only heighten social anxieties. – YaleGlobal