Addictions & Mental Health

A psychiatric assessment is a structured clinical conversation, complemented by observation and mental state examination, and supplemented by a physical examination and the interview of family members when appropriate. After the initial interview, the clinician should be able to establish whether the individual has a mental health problem or not, the nature of the problem, and a plan for the most suitable treatment. Essentials of Psychiatric Assessment provides the resident or beginning psychiatrist with a complete road map to a thorough clinical evaluation.

This volume is devoted to descriptions of non medical as well as medical uses for some drugs that have typically, or not so typically, been associated with drug abuse. One major objective of this book is to identify costs and benefits of drug abuse. The book highlights drugs including 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), cannabinoids, opioids and methylphenidate  because of their well-documented potential for abuse and provides new and emerging evidence of their potential to treat some chronic disease states alongside the potential consequences of exposure.  

This international  survey defines mental health as a basic human right, and tracks the emergence of mental health prevention and promotion as a global priority. Locating mental illness within a cycle of negative causes and effects affecting human quality of life, the editors identify modern policy barriers to promotion/prevention initiatives, particularly the favoring of the biomedical health model by major stakeholders.  The book's selection of successful programs from diverse countries displays a lifespan approach, emphasizing the centrality of interdisciplinary educational settings in providing primary and secondary prevention and promotion interventions, and the ongoing fight against  missing financial investigations,  discrimination and stigma. Together, these papers make a forceful argument for rights- based responses to worldwide mental health needs as part of the commitment  toward global human rights and long-term development goals. Included in the coverage: ·    Mental health priorities around the world. ·    Social determinants of mental health. ·    Mental health and stigma: aspects of anti-stigma interventions. ·    Promoting social and emotional wellbeing and responding  to mental health problems in      schools. ·    The promotion and delivery of mental health services in primary care settings. ·    Economic evaluation of mental health promotion and mental illness prevention. Bringing to the fore public health concerns that are too often marginalized, Global Mental Health is necessary reading for health professionals, health and clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, medical sociologists, and policymakers.