Mental health in the Caribbean

ABSTRACT

Mental health is a term that is seldon used, but mental illness and mental disorder are expressions used by everyone. The phrase 'he/she is mental' is an indication that a person has a disturbed mind and may be in need or hospitalization, whether at a general hospital or a mental institution. There is no doubt that each country must deal with those psychotic individuals who have become a public nuisance, but we need to consider mental health and not just severe mental illness. Only a very small part of the general population suffers from psychotic illness but mental health issues cover a wide range of psychosocial factors and are of major importance in the development of any country. More emphasis must be put on developing community mental health programmes and less on institutional care. The areas of greatest concern to the public - drug abuse, childhood disorders and the increase in suicide - should be handled by specialist, who would then be responsible for building up appropriate services though use of the team approach (AU)