Georgia mental health country profile

Abstract

This article is on the mental health of the population of Georgia describing context and mental health needs, extrinsic and intrinsic influences on mental health in the country, and health and social services for people with mental health problems and mental illnesses. The mental health profile of Georgia has been compiled with the help of an instrument developed by the International Consortium on Mental Health. Georgia is one of the former republics of the USSR with a population of about 4.5 million people. Political, social and economic changes have led to wide scale social stress in Georgia in recent years and to related psychosocial and behavioural problems. Difficult economic conditions and internal displacement are thought to be key contributory factors to the three-fold increase in suicide experienced during the decade following independence. Georgia has produced a written mental health policy. However, its implementation is hampered by the lack of resources, training and community awareness. The Government has passed a Mental Health Act, but this is also ineffective at present due to a lack of staff, financing and appropriate facilities.