Mental Health Services : Implementation and Evaluation

Mental health is a general term used to refer, not only to the absence of the mental disorders but also to the ability of the individual to negotiate the daily challenges and social interactions of life without experiencing cognitive, emotional or behavioural dysfunction. Mental health and mental disorders can be affected by numerous factors ranging from biologic to genetic vulnerabilities, acute or chronic dysfunction, to environmental conditions and stresses. Recent research on the level of incapacity associated with mental disorders emphasises just how debilitating they can be. For example, the number of bed days and other disability associated with depression is comparable to or greater than that with eight major chronic medical conditions. Early identification, specific treatment and rehabilitation measures can significantly reduce the duration and level of disability associated with mental disorders, as well as decrease the likelihood of re-emergence of symptoms. Unfortunately a very large population of individuals with mental disorders, including majority of those with depression, do not receive treatment. Though specific early identification, treatment and rehabilitation measures are available to reduce the levels of dysfunction in children and adolescents, majority of them do not receive appropriate services.