In 1974, the World Health Organization began research on the effectiveness of mental health services in the developing world. Through their efforts they found that treatment methods were extremely limited in their usefulness and, in some cases, even inappropriate and harmful.

Little has changed in the last quarter century, but the research in these countries has shown that psychological need often stems from poor physical conditions. Elements including social and economical inequalities, gender discrimination, political violence and malnutrition and poor physical health all contribute to the social and psychological decay of both individuals and communities.

Currently, the goal of the WHO is to document previous studies on communities of developing countries and to build on this information in order to move forward in research. Using real cases based in the South Pacific, Asia, South and Latin America and Europe, this volume sets out examples of community-based interventions that have succeeded by implementing:

• outreach to the families and community to identify those in need;
• reliable and adequate drug supplies;
• treatment interventions;
• healthy psychosocial environments.

This book will interest mental health professionals, international public health workers, global program administrators, and clinicians and healthcare workers, all working with low-income areas.

Public Health Aspects of Diagnosis and Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders: Refining the Research Agenda for DSM-5 and ICD-11 provides a comprehensive summary of the current state of mental health classification in the United States and internationally, fostering a better understanding of primary research and clinical needs and facilitating the efforts of service planners, researchers and trainees to address current use of psychiatric diagnosis in the public health sector. The volume reflects the proceedings of a research planning conference convened by the APA and World Health Organization (WHO) that focused on public health aspects of the diagnosis and classification of mental disorders.

Highly relevant to the ongoing development of DSM-5 and ICD-11, the book includes the background papers prepared and presented by the Conference Expert Groups. The resulting collection: - Discusses the current state of mental illness prevention efforts and the role of public health in supporting them -- critical topics, given that development of effective strategies to reduce mental illness around the world depends on the accuracy with which risk and protective factors can be identified, defined, and understood.- Features international perspectives on public health implications of psychiatric diagnosis, classification, and service, providing viewpoints that are broad and more globally relevant. - Views mental health education, and awareness on a macro level, including its impact on social and economic policy, forensics and the legal system, and education. This approach facilitates the continued development of a research base in community health and promotes the establishment of programs for monitoring, treating, and preventing mental illness.- Addresses many fascinating and clinically relevant issues, such as those raised by the concept and the definition of mental disorders and how these impact psychiatric services and practice by individual providers.

This collection should prove useful to the advisory groups, task forces, and working groups for the revision of these two classifications, as well as for researchers in the area of diagnosis and classification, and more generally in public health.

Using real cases based in the South Pacific, Asia, South and Latin America and Europe, this volume sets out examples of community-based interventions that have succeeded by implementing outreach to the families and community to identify those in need, reliable and adequate drug supplies, treatment interventions, healthy psychosocial environments. This book will interest mental health professionals, international public health workers, global program administrators, and clinicians and healthcare workers.