A Cross-Cultural Perspective on Selected Mental Health Systems

The information provided from authors around the world on their respec-tive mental health systems is analyzed and compared. Several key dimen-sions are utilized, including the relationship of mental health services to other services, institutional care, community care, staffing, prevention and mental health promotion services, and accessibility. Resources and governmental priorities are identified as being essential to the provision of effective services. It is clear that the general trends identified by the experts for mental health in both developing and developed countries are by no means universal in applicability. This edition of the Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare has brought together a distinguished group of authors from around the world to present a picture of mental health systems in se-lected countries. Using a common format, the information sup-plied provides the reader with a rare opportunity to compare the state of mental health services in countries from variou