Better mental health and well-being

Abstract

Mental ill-health imposes a huge burden on individuals, their families, society, health systems and the economy. Mental health care remains a neglected area of health policy in too many countries. This statement by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD 2014) confirms the overall bleak assessment of the reaction to mental ill-health that prevails worldwide even in well-developed economies. Mental ill-health has accompanying costs in terms of reduced quality of life, loss of productivity, and premature mortality. Data from the European Union shows that stigma and the fear of its possible effects on personal, family and employment prospects prevents around half of those who need mental health care to come forward and request such care.