Associated Organisations

Minds for Health is formerly associated or affiliated with organisations working on mental health, international health or health inequalities.

 

Global

• Movement for Global Mental Health - Mass movement for scaling up mental health services and securing human rights developed from the 2007 Lancet series on Global Mental Health

UK

• Medsin - A network of students interested in national and international health inequalities with branches in universities across the UK

Research and Articles

 

Articles

Articles about Minds for Health or contributions to articles.

• Mental illness and the developing world - Guardian online article on international responses to mental health which MfH contributed to

Research

Formal research conducted by Minds for Health, our partner organisations or volunteers.

• The Effects of Group Musical Activity on Psychiatric Patients in India - Study by volunteer Kat Rumball on benefits of music therapy at Antara

Online resources

Just as in our homes and communities mental illness at the global scale represents a "hidden suffering". The following links explain the need for accessible mental healthcare in low and middle income countries and provide evidence for what works

International

• The Lancet series on Global Mental Health - Academic papers on mental health problems in lower income countries
• Global Initiative in Psychiatry - International organisation, mainly working in Central and Eastern Europe, which promotes humane and ethical mental healthcare
• International Journal of Mental Health Systems - Academic journal with research and information on delivery of mental health services in different countries
• Movement for Global Mental Health - International network aiming at improving mental health worldwide, protecting human rights and fostering research
• WHO Mental Health Atlas - WHO Mental Health Atlas
• Disease Control Priorites in Developing Countries - Summary of Evidence Based interventions for mental health in lower income countries
• Patel, V., and Kleinmann, A., (2003) Poverty and common mental disorders in developing countries - Systematic Review of associations between poverty and mental illness in LDCs and possible mechanisms
• WHO Bulletin series on Mental Health - Bulletin of the World Health Organisation (WHO), vol 78(4) 2000, focusing on mental health
• Basic Needs - International Developmental Charity focusing on Mental Illness
• World Health Report (2001) - WHO annual report 2001 focusing on mental health
• World Health Organisation (WHO) - Resources on global mental health.

South Asia

An estimated 20 million people are affected by mental illness in India, yet there are only 2-3 psychiatrists per million of the population. The following links provide an overview of mental health in India as well as highlighting some specific issues such as gender inequalities, rural care, social stigma and the effects of economic change.

• BMJ special on Health in South Asia - Academic overview of burden of diseases and various articles on mental health in India and neighbouring countries
• Mirza (2004) Risk factors, prevalence & treatment of anxiety & depressive disorders in Pakistan 
  

Mental Health Inequalities

An appreciation of the value of human life is at the heart of health care, and yet there are huge differences across the world and within each society in peoples' ability to access the help they need.
Securing health for all requires tackling these inequalities in health care through wider social and economic action. Equally Minds for Health UK believes that health care has an important role in breaking the cycles of poverty and illness.

• Poverty, Social Stress and Mental Health - Indian Journal of Medical Research review of evidence linking poverty to mental illness
• Socioeconomic Inequalities in Depression: A Meta-Analysis - A US review of the evidence associating poverty with depression (note you may have to be part of a university or other institution to see this link) 
• Mental Health and Social Inequality - Research from the Equality Trust, showing the international correspondence of mental illness with income inequality
  
• Poverty, unemployment, and common mental disorders: population based cohort study - Academic Study from the BMJ, Jul 1998; 317: 115 - 119
• Child and adolescent mental health - British Medical Association guide for health professionals on the prevalence and challenges of child mental health including inequalities
  

 

Mental Health

The following links provide information on mental health and specific illnesses or disorders. Some sites are written for people working in mental health, but may also be of interest to those looking for more detailed information.

Note: If you need support for your own or someone else's mental health, please speak to your GP or other appropriately qualified professional. If you need to talk to someone now, you could try Samaritans: 08457 909090, www.samaritans.org (outside the UK see http://www.befrienders.org/)

• Mental Health Foundation - Information, publications, and more, from a UK charity aiming to improve mental well-being
  
• Mind - Another UK charity providing information, advice and support
• HelpGuide - Information and support for anyone interested in any aspect of mental health
  
• YoungMinds - Focusing on mental health for children and young people (and their parents or carers), YoungMinds offers information, support, and advocacy
  
• National Institute for Mental Health - USA organisation providing information and research on specific mental illnesses and treatment
  
• Learning and Developmental Disabilities - Chapter describing these disorders and their risk factors, from 'Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries' by Maureen S. Durkin, Helen Schneider, Vikram S. Pathania, et al.
• Mencap - UK based charity offering information, support and campaigning for people with learning and developmental disorders
  
• National Institute on Drug Abuse - USA organisation providing information about drug abuse and addiction