Global Priorities for Addressing the Burden of Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders

Authors: Vikram Patel, Dan Chisholm, Rachana Parikh, Fiona Charlson, Louisa Degenhardt, Tarun Dua, Alize Ferrari, Steven Hyman, Ramanan Laxminarayan, Carol Levin, Crick Lund, Maria Elena Medina-Mora, Inge Petersen, James Scott, Rahul Shidhaye, Lakshmi Vijayakumar, Graham Thornicroft, Harvey Whiteford

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Abstract:

This chapter explains the important shared characteristics of mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) disorders; considers how some countries have attempted to scale up programs for MNS disorders; and provides key findings and messages. MNS disorders, a heterogeneous range of disorders, owe their origin to a complex array of genetic, biological, psychological, and social factors, and many health systems deliver care for these disorders through separate channels. Grouping the disorders together can help policy makers, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), to prioritize essential health care packages and delivery platforms. Interventions are considered for five groups of disorders—adult mental disorders, child mental and developmental disorders, neurological disorders, alcohol use disorder, and illicit drug use such as opioid dependence—and suicide and self-harm-health outcomes strongly associated with MNS disorders.

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