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Mental health services in Central and Eastern Europe: current state and continuing concerns

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2011

Benedetto Saraceno  and
Shekhar Saxena
Benedetto Saraceno*
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence, World Health Organization
Shekhar Saxena
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence, World Health Organization
*
Address for correspondence: Dr. B. Saraceno, Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence. WHO. CH 1211 Geneva 27 (Switzerland). E-mail: [email protected]
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Summary

Aims – This paper attempts to examine the current state of mental health services in Central and Eastern Europe. Methods – Selected review of available literature has been done with emphasis on information complied by World Health Organization (WHO). Results – The magnitude and burden of mental disorders is high in Europe, the mental health services are inadequate in most Central and Eastern European countries and human rights situation is unsatisfactory. However, there are some positive recent developments worth noting. These include increased attention to human rights, cooperation and collaboration at subregional level and emergence of family and consumer associations. Conclusions – A concerted and systematic attempt needs to be made to respond to the challenge of providing adequate and human rights-based mental health services in Central and Eastern European countries. The framework developed by WHO can assist the countries in their initiatives aimed at improving mental health systems.

Declaration of Interest: none

Keywords

mental health servicesCentral EuropeEast Europeburden of mental disorders
Type
Inclusion and Mental Health in the New Europe
Information
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences , Volume 14 , Issue 1: Inclusion and Mental Health in the New Europe , March 2005 , pp. 44 - 48
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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