Community mental health services for the mentally ill: practices and ethics

Approximately 54 million people around the world suffer from severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder (manic-depressive illness). In addition, 154 million people suffer from depression. Globally, progressive reforms have determined the changes in the provision of mental health services, with the current emphasis on community orientated care.

This paper focuses on the strategies in use in developing countries and enlisting interventions in high resource settings. The ethics of community interventions are highlighted.

English language literature on the subject was obtained thorough searches in PubMed, other indexed journals and published books. Results. Literature indicates the heterogeneity of the community programmes. While abundant literature exists on ethics in research, the ethical issues of community-based mental health intervention has not been widely dealt with.

Community care is emerging globally as an important method of service provision. While obstacles in varying forms remain, the benefits are gradually becoming visible. Mental health services can develop effectively if there is adherence to a principle ethical base, which respects the human rights of individuals living with mental illness.