Showing papers by "Benedetto Saraceno published in 2003"

Trends in mortality from suicide, 1965-99.

Abstract: Objective: To analyse trends in mortality from suicide over the period 1965–99. Method: Data were derived from the WHO database, including data for 47 countries. Results: In the European Union (EU), all age suicide mortality peaked at 16.1/100 000 in men in 1980–84, and declined thereafter to 14.4/100 000 in 1995–98. In females, the fall was 29% to reach 4.6/100 000. A similar pattern of trends was observed in several eastern European countries. In contrast, mortality from suicide rose substantially in the Russian Federation, from 37.7/100 000 in males in 1985–89 to 58.3/100 000 in 1995–98 (+55%), and to 9.5/100 000 (+12%) in females. In the USA and most other American countries providing data, no consistent pattern was evident for males, but falls were observed in females. Steady declines were registered for Japan, starting from the highest suicide rates worldwide in the late 1950s. Suicide rates were upwards in Ireland, Italy, Spain, the UK, Cuba, Australia and New Zealand. Substantial rises were observed in a few countries (Ireland, Cuba, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand) for young males. Conclusion: In spite of mixed trends, suicide remains a significant public health problem worldwide.

Reducing stigma and discrimination against older people with mental disorders: a technical consensus statement.

Abstract: This technical consensus statement is jointly produced by the Old Age Psychiatry section of the World Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization, with the collaboration of several NGOs and the participation of experts from different Regions. It is intended to be a tool for (i) promoting debate at all levels on the stigmatisation of older people with mental disorders; (ii) outlining the nature, causes and consequences of this stigmatisation; and (iii) promoting and suggesting policies, programmes and actions to combat this stigmatisation.

Budget and financing of mental health services: baseline information on 89 countries from WHO's project atlas.

Abstract: Background: Very little information is available on budget and financing of mental health services in the world. Aims of the Study: During year 2001, WHO collected information from all countries on resources available for mental health care as a part of Project Atlas. The present report seeks to describe the situation regarding federal budgets and financing of mental health care at the country level. It also examines the association between relative allocation of health budget to mental health and mental health policy, programme and resource indicators in 89 countries. Method: The information was collected through a questionnaire (with an accompanying glossary) that was sent to the mental health focal point in the Ministry of Health of each country. Eighty nine countries provided information on their mental health budget as a proportion of health budget. In addition, information was obtained on policy, programme and mental health resource indicators (beds, personnel, services to special population and availability of drugs). Results: The results showed that 32% of 191 countries did not have a specified budget for mental health. Of the 89 countries that supplied the requisite information 36% spent less than 1% of their total health budget on mental health. Many countries from Africa (79%) and the South East Asia (63%) were in this subgroup. Comparison with the Global Burden of Disease data showed a marked disparity between burden and resources. Lower income countries allocated a lesser proportion of their health budget on mental health in comparison to higher income countries. The primary method of financing mental health care in most countries was tax-based (60.2%), but many low-income countries depended on out-of-pocket expenditure (16.4%). The presence of mental health policies and programmes in general was not associated with the proportion of health budget allocated to mental health. Countries

Mental health in the aftermath of disasters: Consensus and controversy

Abstract: *Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland; and †Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. Reprints: Shekhar Saxena, MD, Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. E-mail: saxenas@who.int Copyright © 2003 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins DOI: 10.1097/01.nmd.0000087188.96516.a3