Michelle Funk

Bio: Michelle Funk is an academic researcher from World Health Organization. The author has contributed to research in topics: Mental health & Health policy. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 46 publications receiving 2052 citations. Previous affiliations of Michelle Funk include European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.

Comprehensive mental health action plan 2013-2020.

Abstract: Twenty years ago, a book was published entitled World mental health: problems and priorities in low-income countries (1). A few years later in 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) devoted its World Health Report to Mental health: new understanding, new hope (2), and the Institute of Medicine in the United States of America brought out Neurological, psychiatric, and developmental disorders: meeting the challenge in the developing world (3). These publications were among the first to seize upon the finding that, due to their chronic course and disabling nature, mental, neurological and substance use disorders contribute very significantly to the global burden of disease. Each report also drew strong attention to the desperate situation in most lowand middle-income countries regarding the availability, quality and range of treatment services, and produced a series of recommendations for research and training, service provision and policy. In a number of respects, much progress has been made since then. Awareness and acceptance of the value of mental health and the challenge posed by mental ill-health has continued to grow, both at the international level and in an increasing number of countries. New alliances and partnerships have been formed, including civil society organizations advocating for better rights and service access for persons with mental disorders and their families. In addition, the evidence base around what resources are available in countries and which interventions are effective, feasible and affordable to implement in the context of lowand middle-income countries has improved dramatically (4–7). In other respects, however, the situation now is not greatly different to how it was 20 years ago. There continues to be widespread stigma, discrimination and human rights violations against persons with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities (8). Resources allocated to mental health remain extremely modest; the treatment gap is as large as ever (5,9). This, then, was the backdrop against which a concerted new effort has taken place to put mental health higher on the health and development agenda of countries throughout the world. Culminating in the endorsement of the Comprehensive mental health action plan 2013–2020 in May 2013 by the 194 Member States of WHO (10), this new effort now commits governments, as well as WHO and other partners, to taking defined actions across a number of areas of implementation. This article briefly sets out what these actions are, whose responsibility they are, and how they support the proposed regional framework to scale up action on mental health in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Economic barriers to better mental health practice and policy.

Abstract: Mental health systems in many countries are seriously under-developed, yet mental health problems not only have huge consequences for quality of life, but – particularly in low- and middle-income countries – contribute to continued economic burden and reinforce poverty. This paper discusses economic barriers to improving the availability, accessibility, efficiency and equity of mental health care in low- and middle-income countries. Six sets of barriers are identified: an information barrier, resource insufficiency, resource distribution, resource inappropriateness, resource inflexibility and resource timing. Overcoming these barriers will be a major task, although there is no shortage of suggestions for action. The paper discusses broadening the evidence base, improving mental health literacy, tackling stigma, improving financing mechanisms, prioritizing and protecting mental health care budgets, emphasizing mental health promotion through the development of resilience, exploring routes to improved equity, experimenting with new arrangements for purchasing and delivering services, improving coordination between agencies and professionals at both macro- and micro-levels, building alliances between public and private sectors, and training and mobilizing primary care services to improve identification and treatment of mental health problems.

Mental Health Policy Development and Implementation in Four African Countries

Abstract: The purpose of the research programme introduced in this article is to provide new knowledge regarding comprehensive multisectoral approaches to breaking the negative cycle of poverty and mental ill-health. The programme undertakes an analysis of existing mental health policies in four African countries (Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia), and will carry out and evaluate interventions to assist in the development and implementation of mental health policies in those countries, over a five-year period. The four countries in which the programme is being conducted represent a variety of scenarios in mental health policy development and implementation.

Medscape

Abstract: Secret History: Return of the Black Death Channel 4, 7-8pm In 1348 the Black Death swept through London, killing people within days of the appearance of their first symptoms. Exactly how many died, and why, has long been a mystery. This Secret History documentary follows experts as they pick through the evidence and reveal why the plague killed on such a scale. And they ask, what might be coming next?

Child and adolescent mental health worldwide: evidence for action

Abstract: This article suggests that while mental health problems affect 10—20% of children and adolescents worldwide, the mental health needs of children and adolescents are neglected, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. The authors review the evidence and the gaps in the published work in terms of prevalence, risk and protective factors, and interventions to prevent and treat childhood and adolescent mental health problems.