The response on why to address mentalhealth, lies on the fact that neuropsychiatric disordersaccount for an eleven percent of the global burden ofdisease; that four, of the top ten causes of disability weredue to mental disorders; and, that depression is projectedto rank second among neurological disorders. Thus, thecatastrophic costs of mental disorders for individuals, andfamilies can tip them into poverty, and it is emphasizedthat poor people are more likely to have symptoms of mentaldisease. And, while myths about the causes of mental illnessabound, it is now known that these are caused by aninteraction of social, genetic, traumatic, and infectiousfactors. As a starting point, the note indicates that anincreased awareness on the causes, prevention, andinterventions of mental disorders should be promoted, asshould increasing numbers of health workers, and providersin such areas. It is also suggested that demand for mental,and neurological services needs to be voiced, through healtheducation programs to combat the stigma, and raise awarenessof what mental disorders really are.
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