Topic > Community Service: The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand

Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide, with approximately 23% of all years lost to disability being caused by mental disorders (WHO, 2001). Mental disorders are widespread and disadvantaged people are more susceptible. Developed countries, such as New Zealand, have mental health services and policies offered to the public, however, it is also important to focus on countries that are disadvantaged and do not have these services. This field is effective in some countries, but this also means that they are ineffective and even non-existent in many other countries. Over forty percent of countries have no mental health policies and over thirty percent have no mental health services and programs (WHO, 2001). This shows how lower-income countries receive less, even though they have higher rates of mental disorders. It has been found that there are only nine workers per 100,000 inhabitants globally, and it even falls below one in low-income countries (WHO, 2014). This may be something the mental health field could improve on. It is also important to understand that different cultures have different ideas about what mental health is, which can influence mental health services. As we understand