title: Mental health services in 42 low- and middle-income countries: a WHO-AIMS cross-national analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors describe characteristics and capacities of mental health systems in low- and middle-income countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  The World Health Organization Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems was used to assess services in 42 countries (13 low-, 24 lower-middle, and five upper-middle income).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 36 countries with a mental health plan, 90% include the goal of developing community services. However, inpatient facilities are the main service providers, with less than one community contact (.70) for each inpatient day. Mental hospitals consume 80% of mental health budgets, and outpatient care is limited.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mental health services in participating countries are limited and often hospital based.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva.
authors.forename: Shekhar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lora
authors.forename: Jodi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berrino
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Esparza
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Ommeren
authors.forename: Benedetto
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saraceno
mesh_terms: D014943:Global Health; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014944:World Health Organization