ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, October 12th, 2011 – On Monday, as the BVI joined over 100 countries in observing World Mental Health Day, under the theme, The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health, there was a global call by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to invest more health sector resources in mental health services.

In a message delivered to mark the occasion, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Social Development, Honourable Dancia Penn, OBE, QC affirmed the commitment of the Government to bring even more focus and attention to issues of mental health.

She stated, “We must continue to break down the barriers that persist in excluding those with mental or psychosocial disabilities. There is no place, no place in the Virgin Islands, and I daresay in the world, for discrimination against those with mental illness.”

In the Virgin Islands many persons access the treatment services provided by Community Mental Health Services. Among other trends, there continues to be an increasing number of couples being referred for treatment; children and young people with learning disabilities and developmental disorders; and youths learning how to cope with the realities of life, with bullying and childhood interpersonal difficulties.

Honourable Penn said, “While these trends may appear alarming, on the positive side, they do indicate that individuals are more willing to seek the necessary help, whether from public or private mental health services.”

The Minister for Health also commended the work of families and caregivers of persons with mental disorders, who provide a much needed support system, and she thanked the many health care professionals who have devoted their lives to the treatment and care of persons with mental illnesses.

According to the World Health Organisation's Mental Health Atlas 2011, average global spending on mental health is still less than US$3 per capita per year. In low income countries, expenditure can be as little as US$0.25 per person per year. It is estimated that almost half of the world's population live in a country where, on average, there is one psychiatrist to serve 200,000 people.

In 2008, WHO launched its mental health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) to assist countries with enhancing services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders.

The programme provides knowledge and skills to primary health care providers such as general doctors, nurses and health care workers to identify and manage these disorders. Since then, some countries have made significant progress in enhancing their services with assistance from WHO.

In the Virgin Islands, the WHO Assessment Instrument for Mental Health system (WHO-AIMS) was used to collect information and structure the report on the state of the Territory’s mental health services in an effort to reform the services. As a result, a new Mental Health Ordinance is currently being drafted.

The next steps in the process to reform the mental health service will focus on the development of policies, plans, data management, and training.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development endeavours to provide leadership that promotes health, social well being and a safe environment.

*************************
DISCLAIMER
 
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not  correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers