The World Health Organization(WHO) launched its Global Strategies for Mental Health in Beijig on November 12 in an effort to ease the "burden" of mental disorders and neurological illnesses affecting 400 million people worldwide.

The WHO Director-General, Dr. Gro H. Brundtland, said these strategies are aimed at improving population coverage and the quality of psychiatric and neurological care throughout the world, particularly in developing countries.

Mental and neurological disorders can be eased only by raising the awareness of the public, medical professionals, and policy makers, while improving treatment of these illnesses, she said.

"By raising awareness about the importance of mental problems, the WHO hopes to heighten the profile of mental health on the political, health, and development agenda of the governments of our 191 member states, of international agencies, as well as of national and international non-governmental organizations," she told a press conference here today.

The WHO will also fight social stigma and misconceptions and discrimination associated with neuropsychiatric conditions, as well as promote the human rights of mentally ill persons.

In 1998, psychiatric disorders and neurological diseases were estimated to account for almost 12 percent of all deaths and lost productivity due to all diseases and injuries globally. This percent is expected to increase to 15 percent by 2020 if action is not taken.

The WHO estimates that five of the ten leading causes of disability worldwide, in both industrialized and developing countries, are mental problems, namely severe depression,

schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, alcohol dependence, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

The director-general stressed that more community-based mental health services will be established in both urban and rural areas, and wider use of effective intervention and essential drugs also will be promoted.

Currently, one third of the earth's population has no access to essential drugs such as anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, and anti-psychotic drugs.

Dr. Brundtland said Beijing is a "good choice" for the launch of the strategies, not only because China is the largest WHO member state and a developing country, but also because it is experiencing dramatic social changes, which means increasing challenges in the battle against mental disorders.