The Global Epidemiology of Mental and Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

This chapter examines cross-national comparisons of mental and substance use disorders which are the major causes of disability worldwide. Such cross-national comparisons may elucidate the links between mental illness and the multiplicity of circumstances in which people around the world are born, grow up, live, work, and grow older, as well as the different systems of care that are available to deal with their illnesses over the course of their lives.