WHO concerned over persons with mental disabilities

Geneva, 19 Sept-(ANA)-People with mental and psychosocial disabilities are among the most marginalized groups in developing countries, a new World Health Organization (WHO) report on mental health and development has said.

According to the report, the majority of development and poverty alleviation programmes do not reach persons with mental or psychosocial disabilities.  For example, between 75% and 85% do not have access to any form of mental health treatment.  Mental and psychosocial disabilities are associated with rates of unemployment as high as 90%.  Furthermore people are not provided with educational and vocational opportunities to meet their full potential.

"A greater attention from the development community is needed to reverse this situation", says Dr Ala Alwan, Assistant Director-General for Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health at WHO.  "The lack of visibility, voice and power of people with mental and psychosocial disabilities means that an extra effort needs to be made to reach out to and involve them more directly in development programmes." (ANA)

FA/ANA/19 September 2010--------