title: Mental health system development in Asia: Does Australia have a role?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Socioeconomic trends herald what many describe as the Asian Century, whereby Asian economic, political and cultural influence is in global ascendency. Broadening relevant ties between Australia and Asia is evident and logical and may include strengthening alliances in mental health systems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We argue the importance of strengthening Asian mental health systems and some of the roles Australian mental health workers could have in promoting strengthening the Asian mental health system.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper is a narrative review which sources data from reputable search databases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A well-articulated Australian strategy to support strengthening the mental health system in Asia is lacking. While there are active initiatives operating in this space, these remain fragmented and underdeveloped. Coordinated, collaborative and culturally respectful efforts to enhance health education, research, policy, leadership and development assistance are key opportunities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals have a unique opportunity to contribute to improved mental health outcomes in Asia.
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arandjelovic
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University Australia, Townsville, QLD, Australia Harris.eyre@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Harris A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Eyre
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University Australia, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Malcolm P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Forbes
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Shilpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Ajeet B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Bernhard T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Baune
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Everall
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia Orygen - The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Chee
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: Asia; Australia; leadership; mental health; policy; psychiatry