This is the way forward The circle of care The mental health story

Early recognition
Avoidance of stigma
Information about and discrimination
illness and treatment Co
l m Full social participation
Medical care ca

m
Human rights

di

un
Me
Psychological support

ity
Provide treatment in primary care. Hospitalization
One in four people will suffer
Make psychotropic medicines available. 450 million people are currently
from a mental or neurological disorder
Provide care in the community. Social support Skills for care affected by these disorders.

Reh
Education Family cohesion

ily
ab

m
Educate the public. Networking with families

ilit

Fa
Vocational support
at some point during their lifetime.

a
tio
Day care n Crisis support
Long-term care Financial support
Spiritual needs Respite care

Involve communities,
From Chapter 3, figure 3.1, World Health Report 2001.

Establish national policies, 121 million people suffer from depression

families and consumers. 24 million people
programmes and legislation. and 50 million from epilepsy.
suffer from schizophrenia.

A product of NMH Communications. World Health Organization, Geneva, 2001.

Develop human resources.
Link with other sectors. For further information about
mental health, please contact:
Department of Mental Health
and Substance Dependence
World Health Organization
Monitor community mental health. 20 Avenue Appia
1211 Geneva 27
Support more research. Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 791 3634
For further information about
Every year, one million people
the World Health Report,
please contact:
10 to 20 million attempt suicide.
World Health Reporting
World Health Organization
20 Avenue Appia commit suicide.
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 791 4224/2384

Design: Marilyn Langfeld.

www.who.int/mental_health www.who.int/whr
mnh@who.int whr@who.int

Copies of the World Health Report 2001, Mental Health: New Understanding,
New Hope can be obtained through bookorders@who.int
 Mental disorders affect People do not get the care There are solutions
all people in all countries they need

Neuropsychiatric disorders account for nearly …because of lack of resources People can be successfully treated.
one-third of the disability in the world.
Number of psychiatrists per 100 000 population, 2000a

31 Depression

Up to 60% of patients recover

Number per 100 000 population

0–1 Substance abuse
1.1–5
5.1–10
>10

This disability is present in every region a Based on information from 177 Member States.
No data available

of the world. Source: Mental health resources in the world. Initial results of Project Atlas (2001). Geneva, World Health Organization.
Up to 60% reduction in drug use
From Chapter 4, figure 4.4, World Health Report 2001.

18 43

…because of fear of seeking help

Epilepsy
A study in Australia showed that even where care is available and affordable,
only 35% of people with a mental disorder sought help from a health
Africa Europe professional.
Up to 73% of patients live free from seizures

43 27
35% of people seek help
From Chapter 3, table 3.1, World Health Report 2001.
Schizophrenia
The Americas South-East Asia

…because of lack of policies

Up to 77% of patients live without relapses
27 31 Presence of mental health policies in WHO Regions
No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes
52 48 38 62 32 68 37 63 44 56 52 48 From Chapter 3, tables 3.2, 3.4, World Health Report 2001.

Eastern Mediterranean Western Pacific Africa The Americas Eastern Mediterranean Europe South-East Asia Western Pacific
From Chapter 2, figure 2.1, World Health Report 2001. From Chapter 4, figure 4.1, World Health Report 2001.