Observed for the first time on October 10, 1992, World Mental Health Day was initiated by the World Federation for Mental Health and is currently coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Federation for Mental Health, and the United for Global Mental Health organization These annual events promote awareness of the importance of mental health and mobilize support for providing high-quality, community-based care to all persons who need mental health services;this year, most events will be conducted online due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic

There is a need to consider mental well-being as an integral part of overall health, beyond the mere absence of disease. Mental health disorders have significant consequences, including disability, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. Africa faces unique challenges with mental health, including stigmatization, a scarcity of mental health workers, and limited resources for mental healthcare. To address public mental health challenges, concerted efforts and strategic interventions are required. Collaboration with community partners and respect for cultural beliefs are essential in developing culturally valid mental health interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Additionally, promoting resilience among young people and integrating mental health care into primary healthcare services can improve access and equity. LMICs must rethink strategies to reduce the mental health treatment gap, utilizing existing resources effectively through innovative interventions and partnerships. Prioritizing affordability, personalization, and integration within existing caregiving systems can make mental health services more accessible to all.

Reviewer rating: Excellent Essentials of Global Mental Health is a collection of articles written by numerous international contributors. It is an impressive array and encompasses a large number of topics organized into 44 chapters and 8 sections. The volume is edited by Samuel O Okpaku, who is the Executive Director of the Centre of Health, Culture and Society in Nashville, Tennessee. In the first section, “History and Background of Global Mental Health,” the history of global mental health development is reviewed and the concept of burden of diseases is introduced, with attention paid to trends, gaps, and disparities in mental health and the relations between global mental health and other world organizations. Section 2 deals with the issues of “Advocacy and the Reduction of Stigma.” Separate chapters are devoted to internalized stigma, definition and process of stigma, and stigmatization and exclusion. Section 3 is devoted to the “Systems of Development,” looking at some of the challenges of human resources in low- and middle-income countries, integration of mental health services into primary care settings, collaboration between traditional and Western practitioners, and also a few examples of setting up integrated mental health systems around the world. Section 4 examines “Systems of Development for Special Populations,” including maternal mental health, screening for developmental disabilities, child services, including child abuse and child soldiers, and adolescent alcohol and substance abuse. Section 5 deals with “Gender and Equality” issues, bringing women’s mental health issues to the centre of attention, including various other topics, such as violence against women, and the issues of vulnerability, empowerment, and entrapment. Section 6 examines “Human Resources and Capacity Building,” a review of various topics from international response to natural and manmade disasters, the role of nongovernmental organizations, and mass communication and media, just to mention a few. Section 7 deals with “Depression, Suicide, and Violence.” Section 8 is devoted to “Research and Monitoring the Progress of Countries.” Most chapters are written by well-known experts, highly regarded researchers, and public health practitioners from across the world, with good geographical representation and mixture of expertise. The purpose of the book is to introduce the topic of global mental health and review its different facets from various points of view. It also gives a historical background and introduction of concepts in a very useful way. As such, this book will be helpful for practitioners, researchers, and also policy makers in increasing their knowledge of the challenges and potentials of global mental health. It would be an invaluable aid for trainees and students interested in the area of global mental health. The individual chapters may differ in style and clarity, but overall, the book is edited quite well, concisely, and clearly and is a pleasure to read. I suspect that most people will be reading separate chapters as needed, rather than the entire book as a whole, and as such this book should be seen as a useful starting point to learn and increase the knowledge in the large area of global mental health. The volume is hard covered and attractively presented.

Autism is not a mental health disorder, but it sometimes is misdiagnosed as one--and can bring its own mental health issues. Dr Judith Gould explains how a mental health problem may mask an undiagnosed autistic spectrum disorder.

The effect of community mental health nursing training on the self efficacy and skills of the mental health cadresPurposeThis study aimed to know the effect of community mental health nursing training to self efficacy and skills of mental health cadres in early detection of severe mental illness symptoms in Banyuroto village, Nanggulan district, Kulon Progo. MethodsThis research was a quasi-experimental study using pre-post tests with control group. The treatment group were 32 health cadres who were given community mental health nursing training and the control group were 33 cadres who were not given community mental health nursing. ResultsBased on the pre-post tests, it was shown that there was a significant effect on the self efficacy and skills enhancement. ConclusionThere was an effect of community mental health nursing training using lectures, demonstrations, and role play methods on the self efficacy enhancement and skills of the mental health cadres in performing severe mental illness symptom early detection (psychosis).

The study was conducted to the impact on mental health. The data were collected from 60 respondents. Information regarding mental health was collected through structured interview schedule from the respondents. 86.66 percent of the respondents were reported that the balanced and nutritious diet essential for mental health. 100 percent of the respondents were reported that mother’s diet affects child’s mental health and 100 percent of the respondents were reported that connection between a healthy body and a healthy mind. 100 percent of the respondents were reported that environment has an impact on mental health. 100 percent of the respondents were reported that stress and inadequate sleep negatively affects mental health.

Opinions differ on the societal importance of mental health care (GGZ) and the direction it should take. Is there a need for prevention targeting high-risk health groups, should more attention be paid to precision psychiatry, or is the focus better placed on promoting a mentally healthy lifestyle or accessible care in disadvantaged neighborhoods? To outline the social importance of mental health care from three perspectives: the biomedical-clinical approach, the moral-philosophical, social-critical perspective and an approach that emphasizes social inequality and disadvantage. Further I reflect on the possible importance of some innovations in mental health care for future general mental health. Literature review and consideration. Questions about the social importance of mental health care and the future direction of mental health care are typically viewed from a biomedical and clinical perspective, with the assumption that what benefits patients is also the most direct path to improved public mental health. However, other narratives also dominate the discussion, such as socio-critical approaches or perspectives emphasizing social inequality and marginalization. Anyone who examines these approaches from a public health perspective must conclude that many innovations in mental health care are largely irrelevant to public mental health, despite their impact on the relationship between society and mental health care.

The government is subjecting many people in contact with the mental health services to a classic double-bind.

Mental health services in India are neglected area which needs immediate attention from the Government, policymakers, and civil society organizations. Despite, National Mental Health Programme since1982and National Rural Health Mission, there has been very little efforts so far to provide mental health services in rural areas. With increase in population, changing life-style, unemployment, lack of social support and increasing insecurity, it is predicted that there would be a substantial increase in the number of people suffering from mental illness in rural areas. Considering the mental health needs of the rural community and the treatment gap, it is an attempt to remind and advocate for rural mental health services and suggest a model to reduce the treatment gap.

Mental Health Affiliation Frederick W. Brown CopyRight https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.26.1.81-b Published Online: August 29, 2011