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Mental health in the Pacific: Urgency and opportunity
Author(s) -
Ali Suhailah,
Williams Owain,
Chang Odille,
Shidhaye Rahul,
Hunter Ernest,
Charlson Fiona
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
asia pacific viewpoint
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.571
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1467-8373
pISSN - 1360-7456
DOI - 10.1111/apv.12286
Subject(s) - mental health , work (physics) , sustainable development , physical health , economic growth , political science , environmental health , business , geography , psychology , medicine , psychiatry , engineering , economics , law , mechanical engineering
The Pacific region faces a significant and growing burden of noncommunicable diseases and mental disorders. An emerging issue is the increasing overlap between physical and mental health conditions, which are often the result of interactive effects and lead to more severe consequences. In addition, climate change is amplifying health risks, as it poses both physical and existential threats to Pacific Island communities. The sustainable development agenda provides a holistic opportunity to address these issues; key elements include improving health surveillance and strengthening health systems, within a multisectoral approach, in order to work towards achieving Healthy Islands.