Introduction: The role of NGOs in mental health care

(from the chapter) Notes that Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in India have evolved from being amorphous, unstructured organizations to well established and professionally managed institutions. Much has already been written and documented on their work in a variety of sectors of community development issues, including health. However, as there has been a total lack of any such initiative in the specific area of mental health--particularly in the context of the present global concern about the issue in developing countries, where formal mental health services are often very inadequate-the authors considered it quite appropriate to examine the efforts of the NGOs in the field of mental health care delivery in India. Specific topics discussed in this chapter include the following: (1) Mental disorders: Some basic truths, (2) The treatment of mental illnesses, (3) The global burden of mental disorders, (4) Mental health care in developing countries, (5) NGOs in health care: The Indian experience, and (6) NGOs as providers of mental health services. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2003 APA, all rights reserved)