Thursday, December 30, 2004

Mental health in general practice and primary care (New Zealand)
Paper (in Adobe Acrobat format) in the New Zealand Family Physician - "Mental disorders are recognised as a major public health problem and the management of mental health problems places an increasing burden on health services. A World Health Organization (WHO) study of the global burden of disease assessed that mental disorders make up five of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide. While the management of these problems takes place predominantly in general practice and primary care settings, historically there has been a reluctance to acknowledge the role and importance of general practitioners and to provide appropriate support for them to deliver effective services..."  
  

Growing drug problems among young people could eventually swamp the country's mental health services (New Zealand)
NZ City story - "Substance abuse experts say growing drug problems among young people could eventually swamp the country's mental health services. The warning comes from WellTrust, an agency established in Wellington to help young people with drug and alcohol problems. Director Pauline Gardiner says the average age of those now being referred is 11 and a half. Several 7 and 8 year olds are also being treated, some displaying early signs of illnesses such as paranoias and hallucinations. ..."