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WHO release the MENTAL HEALTH ATLAS TODAY (14 July 2015)
The 2014 version of mental health Atlas continues to provide up-to-date information on the availability of mental health services and resources across the world, including financial allocations, human resources and specialised facilities for mental health. This information was obtained via a questionnaire sent to designated focal points in each WHO Member State.
Worldwide, nearly 1 in 10 people have a mental health disorder, but only 1% of the global health workforce is working in mental health. This means, for example, that nearly half of the world’s population lives in a country where there is less than one psychiatrist per 100 000 people.
The report states global spending on mental health is still very low. Low and middle-income countries spend less than US$ 2 per capita per year on mental health, whereas high-income countries spend more than US$ 50.
WHO’s Mental Health Atlas provides the baseline data to measure progress on the action plan targets. The 2014 edition is the fourth and newest edition, with data on the availability of mental health services and resources across the world, including financial allocations, human resources and specialized facilities for mental health from 171 countries.
The Comprehensive mental health action plan 2013-2020 targets, and baseline values for 2013:
- 80% of countries will have developed or updated their policies or plans for mental health in line with international and regional human rights instruments by the year 2020. Baseline: 45% of all WHO Member States
- 50% of countries will have developed or updated their law for mental health in line with international and regional human rights instruments by the year 2020. Baseline: 34% of all WHO Member States
- Service coverage for severe mental disorders will have increased by 20% by the year 2020. Baseline: Currently not computable from Atlas 2014 data
- 80% of countries will have at least two functioning national, multisectoral mental health promotion and prevention programmes by the year 2020. Baseline: 41% of all WHO Member States
- The rate of suicide in countries will be reduced by 10%. Baseline: 11.4 per 100 000 population 80% of countries will be routinely collecting and reporting at least a core set of mental health indicators every two years through their national health and social information systems by the year 2020.
