ASEAN mental health taskforce convenes first meeting

The first meeting of the ASEAN mental health taskforce, Hanoi, May 23, 2012 - Photo: VGP

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Xuyen said the meeting provides a good chance for ASEAN member countries to discuss and agree on ways of implementing the taskforce’s plan for 2011-2015 in a bid to realize the region’s target of “Healthy people, Healthy ASEAN.”

ASEAN’s plan for mental health includes four strategies: Development of policies on mental health, facilitation of integration of mental health into healthcare system and enhancement of capacity building, facilitation and intensification of mental health data system and knowledge management, and establishment of ASEAN network for mental health.

According to the World Health Organization, over 150 million people are suffering from depression across the world, over 125 million are affected by wine, over 40 million struggling epilepsy, and 24 million lost senses.

The alarming figures show that many countries have not paid due attention to mental health and spent just 2% of State budget for this area.

For ASEAN, the prevention and control of mental disorders is a strategic task which requires strong commitments of the member countries as well as stronger external support.

ASEAN member countries are now coordinating in issuing laws and policies, national programs on mental health.

By Huong Giang