Rethinking mental health in Romania – the role of social psychiatry

Abstract

Currently, one out of five Romanian people is affected by mental health problems, and at least 250000 Romanians suffer from a severe psychiatric disorder. Furthermore, it is estimated that in 2020 mental disorders will rank first regarding morbidity, overtaking cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The numeric insufficiency and deficient training of the specialists in rehabilitation and social inclusion have direct and indirect consequences for people with disabilities, for their families and for society as a whole. In 2005 it was founded the Romanian Association of Social Psychiatry, with the purpose of preparing, promoting and implementing projects at all levels for sustaining the community mental health assistance for people with psychiatric disorders, and also to support their social inclusion. The creation of a national network of specialists interested in implementing rehabilitation and social inclusion procedures will facilitate the experience exchange and knowledge transfer, and will become a basis for building partnerships and for mutual support in accessing and implementing community mental health services.