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Measuring mental health in a cost-effective manner
Trudy Harpham1, Michael Reichenheim, Rebecca Oser
1South Bank University, London, UK. t.harpham@sbu.ac.uk
Health Policy and Planning
|August 15, 2003
Summary
Community mental health is crucial, yet often overlooked in developing nations. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20 items (SRQ20) is a validated, cost-effective tool for measuring community mental health, aiding policy development.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Psychiatry
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Mental health significantly contributes to the global disease burden.
- Many developing countries lack integrated mental health policies and primary care inclusion.
- There is a need for community mental health data to inform policy and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the performance and utility of the World Health Organization's Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20 items (SRQ20).
- To assess the SRQ20's suitability for measuring community mental health in resource-limited settings.
Main Methods:
- Review of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20 items (SRQ20).
- Evaluation of SRQ20's face and criterion validity.
- Assessment of ease of use and suitability for lay health worker administration.
Main Results:
- The SRQ20 demonstrates high face and criterion validity.
- The instrument is easy to administer, even by non-specialists.
- The SRQ20 is suitable for use by community health workers.
Conclusions:
- The SRQ20 is a cost-effective tool for measuring community mental health.
- The SRQ20's characteristics support its widespread adoption in population-based surveys.
- Utilizing the SRQ20 can help bridge the gap in mental health policy and data in developing countries.