Social and Individual Impact
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- Community-based rehabilitation was necessary after the tsunami catastrophe in Sri Lanka. The tsunami left physical and psychological marks on survivors. © CBM / Lohnes
25 % of individuals develop one or more psychosocial disabilities at some stage in life. At present, about 450 million people worldwide are affected.
The global burden of psychosocial disability and its relevance to global health priorities including the Millennium Development Goals is widely acknowledged. Psychosocial illness affects many people in their most productive years, and thus has a substantial impact on their economic activity, restricting their careers and putting them at risk of poverty.
This is widely the case in developing countries, where the condition may be the subject of stigma and superstition, isolation from the affected community, and vulnerability to human rights abuses, a fact recognised by the World Health Organisation, which says that millions with psychosocial disorders in the developing world are deprived of necessary treatment and care.
A recent Lancet series of articles on Global Mental Health featured a Call for Action article demanding the scaling up of treatments for psychosocial disorders, for the human rights of those affected to be protected, and for more research into the phenomenon in low and middle income countries.
For details of a WHO programme launched on World Mental Health Day 2008 highlighting the huge treatment gap for persons with psychosocial disorders in developing countries, please click on the link below:
Mhgap
CBM, working with community mental health advisers in the field, has developed the Community Mental Health Policy and a set of implementation guidelines applicable to those who are considering establishing mental health services within their communities.
The global burden of psychosocial disability and its relevance to global health priorities including the Millennium Development Goals is widely acknowledged. Psychosocial illness affects many people in their most productive years, and thus has a substantial impact on their economic activity, restricting their careers and putting them at risk of poverty.
This is widely the case in developing countries, where the condition may be the subject of stigma and superstition, isolation from the affected community, and vulnerability to human rights abuses, a fact recognised by the World Health Organisation, which says that millions with psychosocial disorders in the developing world are deprived of necessary treatment and care.
A recent Lancet series of articles on Global Mental Health featured a Call for Action article demanding the scaling up of treatments for psychosocial disorders, for the human rights of those affected to be protected, and for more research into the phenomenon in low and middle income countries.
For details of a WHO programme launched on World Mental Health Day 2008 highlighting the huge treatment gap for persons with psychosocial disorders in developing countries, please click on the link below:
Mhgap
CBM, working with community mental health advisers in the field, has developed the Community Mental Health Policy and a set of implementation guidelines applicable to those who are considering establishing mental health services within their communities.
Main Causes of Psychosocial Disability
Many mental and behavioural disabilities – like psychoses, alcohol dependence, post-traumatic stress disorders etc. – are caused by a complex interaction of physical and environmental conditions. Physical and psychosocial impairment are often linked: Psychosocial disability may result from the extraordinary burden of impairment as well as from a traumatic experience which caused the disability – like war or an accident.
Neurological diseases like epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease or multiple sclerosis can cause psychosocial disability as well.
Neurological diseases like epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease or multiple sclerosis can cause psychosocial disability as well.
Care and Rehabilitation
Some mental health disorders can be prevented, and all can be successfully managed and treated.
The key factor for diagnosis and treatment is the community. There is no necessity to intervene if those most closely involved see no problem.
Treatment focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration, involving not only medication, but counselling, education, living skills, vocational training, and emotional competency skills training. A holistic approach emphasises strengths and resources, not weaknesses and pathologies, and involves natural support systems like families, peers and community members.
The key factor for diagnosis and treatment is the community. There is no necessity to intervene if those most closely involved see no problem.
Treatment focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration, involving not only medication, but counselling, education, living skills, vocational training, and emotional competency skills training. A holistic approach emphasises strengths and resources, not weaknesses and pathologies, and involves natural support systems like families, peers and community members.
Further Information
Information on clinical patterns connected with psychosocial disability:
Trauma
Psychosis
Epilepsy
Depression
Post-traumatic stress disorder
CBM is involved in a number of strategic partnerships with organisations active in the field of mental health. These include:
The Movement for Global Mental Health
Global Forum for Community Mental Health
Basic Needs
CBM has its own Community Mental Health Policy and guidelines available for download from this page. For further information on CBM's programmes for Persons with psychosocial disabilities:
Programmes for People with Psychosocial Disabilities
Trauma
Psychosis
Epilepsy
Depression
Post-traumatic stress disorder
CBM is involved in a number of strategic partnerships with organisations active in the field of mental health. These include:
The Movement for Global Mental Health
Global Forum for Community Mental Health
Basic Needs
CBM has its own Community Mental Health Policy and guidelines available for download from this page. For further information on CBM's programmes for Persons with psychosocial disabilities:
Programmes for People with Psychosocial Disabilities
