Tackling the global mental health challenge: a psychosomatic medicine/consultation-liaison psychiatry perspective.
BACKGROUND
Consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry, informed by principles of psychosomatic medicine, is well-positioned to address the global impact of mental disorders through primary care C-L models.


OBJECTIVE
The authors review the international burden of mental disorders, highlighting medical comorbidity, undertreatment, and the rationale for enhancing primary-care management.


RESULTS
C-L psychiatry fosters the skills required for global mental health work. The authors describe successful C-L models developed in a low-income country (Ethiopia) and an under-resourced region of a high-income country (Australia).


CONCLUSIONS
C-L psychiatrists have the potential to marshal their unique skill-set to reduce the global burden of mental disorders.
Bauer
Amy M
AM
Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, 1493 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. abauer@challiance.org
Fielke
Ken
K
Brayley
John
J
Araya
Mesfin
M
Alem
Atalay
A
Frankel
Bernard L
BL
Fricchione
Gregory L
GL
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005002:Ethiopia; D005544:Forecasting; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D019222:Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000639:trends*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000639:trends*; D011611:Psychosomatic Medicine / Q000639:trends*; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000639:trends; D013021:South Australia