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Biomedical subjects

Mark van Ommeren

Publications and source records attributed to Mark van Ommeren.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Monitoring of mental health systems and services: comparison of four existing indicator schemes.

BACKGROUND: A public mental health indicator scheme may be defined as a systematic collection of brief proxy measures that represent summary information on variables that are potentially influenced by or relevant to mental health systems, programmes and services. Existing public mental health indicator schemes have been developed in or for high-income countries. METHOD: The paper describes and compares four existing high-income country public mental health indicator schemes and highlights key observations. RESULTS: The range of indicators and subclasses of indicators covered by the four existing schemes is large. There was only one item (indicator) that was covered by more than one scheme. CONCLUSIONS: The variety of possibilities in indicators and types of indicators suggests a lack of consensus in the essential contents of an indicator scheme. There is a need for a public mental health indicator scheme that is applicable in resource-poor countries.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗
PubMed2006

Mental health assistance to populations affected by disasters: World Health Organization's role.

In this article, the authors describe the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in mental health post-disaster recovery. The article covers the mandate and structure of WHO, mental health activities by the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, WHO-supported principles and strategies in mental health post-disaster recovery, and available WHO technical assistance. The paper outlines a public mental health approach to make very basic mental health services broadly available in post-disaster countries. Using examples based on the Asian tsunami experience, suggestions for delivering mental health assistance are made. The response to mental health of disaster victims should be seen in the context of national health priorities.

Asia, Southeastern↗
PubMed2006

Mental health, psychosocial support and the tsunami.

Disasters can have major impact on social and psychological functioning when individuals are exposed to these either indirectly or directly. The responses and coping strategies used by individuals are strongly influenced by cultural factors as well as social support and other factors. In this paper the challenges in planning and delivery of mental health services are described and suggestions put forward for preparedness of future disasters. In cultures which are kinship-based, the help may be available within kinship, and statutory services may rely on such systems.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2005

Mental and social health during and after acute emergencies: emerging consensus?

Mental health care programmes during and after acute emergencies in resource-poor countries have been considered controversial. There is no agreement on the public health value of the post-traumatic stress disorder concept and no agreement on the appropriateness of vertical (separate) trauma-focused services. A range of social and mental health intervention strategies and principles seem, however, to have the broad support of expert opinion. Despite continuing debate, there is emerging agreement on what entails good public health practice in respect of mental health. In terms of early interventions, this agreement is exemplified by the recent inclusion of a "mental and social aspects of health" standard in the Sphere handbook's revision on minimal standards in disaster response. This affirmation of emerging agreement is important and should give clear messages to health planners.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2005

Cost-effectiveness of clinical interventions for reducing the global burden of bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder has been ranked seventh among the worldwide causes of non-fatal disease burden. AIMS: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of interventions for reducing the global burden of bipolar disorder. METHOD: Hospital- and community-based delivery of two generic mood stabilisers (lithium and valproic acid), alone and in combination with psychosocial treatment, were modelled for 14 global sub-regions. A population model was employed to estimate the impact of different strategies, relative to no intervention. Total costs (in international dollars (I$)) and effectiveness (disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted) were combined to form cost-effectiveness ratios. RESULTS: Baseline results showed lithium to be no more costly yet more effective than valproic acid, assuming an anti-suicidal effect for lithium but not for valproic acid. Community-based treatment with lithium and psychosocial care was most cost-effective (cost per DALY averted: I$2165-6475 in developing sub-regions; I$5487-21123 in developed sub-regions). CONCLUSIONS: Community-based interventions for bipolar disorder were estimated to be more efficient than hospital-based services, each DALY averted costing between one and three times average gross national income.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Context in selection of men and women in hiring decisions: gender composition of the applicant pool.

The hypothesis that the sex composition of an applicant pool affects the hiring probabilities of individual job applicants was tested using gender-distinctive information on accepted and rejected job applicants in The Netherlands. The evidence supports this hypothesis, although the effect sizes are moderate. Both men and women have a lower probability of being hired when the applicant pool contains fewer applicants from their own sex.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Mental illness among Bhutanese shamans in Nepal.

Despite efforts to promote traditional medicine, allopathic practitioners often look with distrust at traditional practices. Shamans in particular are often regarded with ambivalence and have been considered mentally ill people. We tested the hypothesis that shamanism is an expression of psychopathology. In the Bhutanese refugee community in Nepal, a community with a high number of shamans, we surveyed a representative community sample of 810 adults and assessed ICD-10 mental disorders through structured diagnostic interviews. Approximately 7% of male refugees and 0.5% of female refugees reported being shamans. After controlling for demographic differences, the shamans did not differ from the comparison group in terms of 12-month and lifetime ICD-10 severe depressive episode, specific phobia, persistent somatoform pain, posttraumatic stress, generalized anxiety, or dissociative disorders. This first-ever, community-based, psychiatric epidemiological survey among shamans indicated no evidence that shamanism is an expression of psychopathology. The study's finding may assist in rectifying shamans' reputation, which has been tainted by past speculation of psychopathology.

Bhutan↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Panel 2.6: mental and psychosocial effects of the Tsunami on the affected populations.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.6, Mental and Psychosocial Effects of the Tsunami on the Affected Populations of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04-06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to mental and psychological aspects as pertaining to the damage created by the Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) responses; (2) needs assessment; (3) coordination; (4) gap filling; (5) capacity building; (6) stakeholder agreement; and (7) conclusions and recommendations. In the responses discussion, issues included: (1) psychosocial support services; (2) mental health services; and (3) the Thai response. Subsections in the stakeholder agreement section include: (1) public-private partnerships; and (2) preparedness.

Disasters↗