Global, National, and Local Approaches to Mental Health: Examples From India

Neuropsychiatric disorders & suicide amount to 12.7% of the global burden of disease and related conditions according to World Health Organization estimates for 1999. Focusing on low- & middle-income countries with high adult mortality, this article discusses essential functions of international agencies concerned with mental health. A review of the history & development of national mental health policy in India follows, & local case studies consider the approach to planning in a rural mental health programme in West Bengal & the experience in an established urban mental health programme in a low-income community of Mumbai. (57 refs.)