Mental Health Policy 2007 - Government

OBJECTIVE

To provide equitable access to quality mental health care to all people in the Gambia with mental and substance use disorders including vulnerable populations (i.e., children, women, the aged, migrants and refugees among others).
To promote and protect the human rights of people with mental and substance use disorders.
To change negative perceptions of the population regarding people with mental disorders and substance abuse through the sensitisation of communities to mental health issues.
To provide mental health and substance abuse services which are integrated into the entire health care system and widely available in the community.
To reduce institutionalisation of people with mental and substance abuse disorders.
To decentralize authority, resources and services for mental health care, allowing for more participatory decision making at the primary health care and community levels, including the engagement of consumers and family member

The Specific Objectives of the Policy are:

To provide equitable access to quality mental health care to all people in the Gambia with mental and substance use disorders including vulnerable populations (i.e., children, women, the aged, migrants and refugees among others).
To promote and protect the human rights of people with mental and substance use disorders.
To change negative perceptions of the population regarding people with mental disorders and substance abuse through the sensitisation of communities to mental health issues.
To provide mental health and substance abuse services which are integrated into the entire health care system and widely available in the community.
To reduce institutionalisation of people with mental and substance abuse disorders.
To decentralize authority, resources and services for mental health care, allowing for more participatory decision making at the primary health care and community levels, including the engagement of consumers and family members

Policy Document

Sectors