Psychiatry

Mental disorders can be detected and managed by general healthcare workers, but this is an area of clinical practice that is neglected currently. In this chapter, we review the public health imperative for expanding access to mental healthcare worldwide: better access to quality treatment can reduce premature mortality, reduce poverty and human rights abuses, as well as lead to improved day-to-day functioning and quality of life for people with mental disorders. Evidence-based treatment guidelines have been produced by the World Health Organization and are acceptable, feasible, and effective in non-specialist settings in low- and middle-income country settings. We focus on how health professionals can use these guidelines for the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of priority mental and substance use disorders. Integration of the principles of mental healthcare into routine practice will also make an important contribution to achieving person-centred care for all patients.