Report looks at mental health policy and support across Asia Pacific

The results of a major research initiative, commissioned by Janssen Asia Pacific and undertaken by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), were released this week on World Mental Health Day. The Asia-Pacific Mental Health Integration Index compares and ranks the level of effort of 15 countries and territories across the Asia Pacific region in implementing effective mental health policies, and looks at the services and programs available to assist people living with mental illness integrate more successfully into society.

The research highlights that the Index countries* have experienced variable success in moving from the institutionalization of people living with mental illness to providing the care, services and environment necessary for them to participate more fully in their communities.

Overall, the countries and territories included in the Index fall within four groups on mental health integration. While the membership of these groups is closely associated with economic development, national scores are hugely diverse.

This research follows an earlier 2014 EIU report in Europe, which found the treatment gap between those affected by mental illness and those receiving appropriate treatment was one of the major challenges for health care systems.

Kris Sterkens, Company Group Chairman of Janssen Asia Pacific, has welcomed the report, explaining that “few diseases are more poorly understood and more subject to prejudice than mental illness, particularly schizophrenia. This report sheds new light on mental health policies across the region, and we hope that it will provide an opportunity for a more informed discussion on the steps needed to be taken to help people living with mental illness integrate back into their communities.”

Janssen sponsored this independent research by the EIU as part of its Healthy Minds program in Asia Pacific. The study contributes to a growing body of knowledge across Asia Pacific about how best to tackle the problem of mental illness. Our support for the research forms an important part of our commitment to improve and transform the lives of people living with mental illness.

To download a copy of the report please visit our website.

__

* Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam