Mental Health and Substance Abuse

WHO defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Mental health is thus therefore a fundamental part of health and is essential to a human’s collective and individual ability to think, emote, interact and be economically productive. More than 100 million people suffer from mental health disorders in the Western Pacific Region.

Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. Policies which influence the levels and patterns of substance use and related harm can significantly reduce attributable public health problems, and interventions at the health care system level can work towards restoration of health in affected individuals.