International collaboration in the field of mental health in the European Region of WHO- time for reflection

Abstract

Despite national mental health initiatives in almost all European countries there are still profound inequalities in accessability both between countries and within countries. Within the countries of Central and Eastern Europe the mental health system is based upon large psychiatric hospitals. In Western Europe the system is more community oriented. These different approaches constitute one of the major challenges for international collaboration. Furthermore, the mental health budget has been declining across Europe and mental health is no longer a priority for central government. What chance is there that mental health reform can compete with other very urgent priorities such as AIDS, drug abuse, cardiovascular diseases and acute hospital care?