Enow Humphrey, Thalitaya Madhusudan Deepak, Mbatia Wallace, Kirpekar Sheetal
East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Psychiatr Danub. 2015 Sep;27 Suppl 1:S111-4.
The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO 1948). In Africa, mental health issues often come last on the list of priorities for policy-makers & people's attitudes towards mental illness are strongly influenced by traditional beliefs in supernatural causes/remedies. The massive burden attributed to mental illness in these communities, poses a huge moral, cultural/economic challenge and requires a concerted and integrated approach involving policy makers, mental health Practitioners, the general public, service users and their families and other stake holders to reverse the trend.
Improving community awareness of mental illness. Change the negative perception of mental illness by the community. Providing a screening/referral pathway for mental illnesses. Providing supervision of patient care.
Promote community participation on issues regarding mental health with a view to challenge existing traditional attitudes and beliefs, reduce stigma and promote health seeking behaviour.
世界卫生组织将健康定义为身体、心理和社会福祉的完全状态，而不仅仅是没有疾病或虚弱（世界卫生组织，1948年）。在非洲，心理健康问题在政策制定者的优先事项清单上往往排在最后，而且人们对精神疾病的态度深受超自然病因/疗法传统观念的强烈影响。这些社区中精神疾病造成的巨大负担带来了巨大的道德、文化和经济挑战，需要政策制定者、心理健康从业者、公众、服务使用者及其家人以及其他利益相关者采取协调一致的综合方法来扭转这一趋势。
提高社区对精神疾病的认识。改变社区对精神疾病的负面看法。为精神疾病提供筛查/转诊途径。提供患者护理监督。
促进社区参与心理健康问题，以挑战现有的传统态度和观念，减少耻辱感并促进寻求健康行为。
