Development Ratings

In 2007, 54,076 mentally ill people were included under BasicNeeds’ programmes, a 31% increase on 2006. In addition to those earning (20%), 20,677 people (38%) are classified as productive. They can now care for themselves adequately and can attend education or work. This state of improvement most importantly frees their former carer to work as well, benefitting further dependants. A year’s worth of medication costs £60-240.

In India, the average income of those in livelihoods programmes was between £3.75 and £25/month. 122 people with mental disorders had taken out income generating loans from BasicNeeds India, and 478 were accessing government schemes and loans from financial institutions. In Sri Lanka, 37 previously destitute participants made a group income of £300 from the sale of horticulture therapy produce. 11 participants had found employment outside of the hospital. In Tanzania, 50 young carers of a mentally ill parent or family member had been identified by a pilot programme: 12 are receiving support to allow them to return to school.

In Ghana, there is a reported reduction in the use of force and seclusion with people with mental disorders in the programme area. As a result, more people are coming forward for treatment. Advocacy has helped mental health be included as a priority in the five year ministerial Programme of Work; a Mental Health Bill is progressing through the legislature. A similar bill is being progressed in Tanzania after BasicNeeds’ staff advocacy there. In addition, the Tanzanian mental health medications budget has been increased in the programme areas and nationwide. In India, advocacy has influenced the formation of a government psychiatrists’ group to help mentally ill people access government services and schemes. As a result, authorities have made diagnosis and treatment facilities available in 21 districts; the provision of BasicNeeds’ mental health camps has been encouraged where there are no public services. In Ghana, Sri Lanka and India, radio programmes teach people about mental illness, raise awareness of the possibility of treatment, and spread knowledge about the rights of mentally ill people to be treated with respect. In Sri Lanka, Consumer Action Forums have influenced the health ministry to open clinics in the southern province. In Kenya, advocacy has resulted in the needs of mentally ill people being included under the new National Health Strategic Plan.

Two ‘training of trainer’ programmes were carried out in 2007 for 25 people mainly from Aceh, Indonesia. (Formerly trained professionals have gone on to train 5,074 other health workers.) The WHO, the World Psychiatric Organisation, and the Global Campaign against Epilepsy all invited BasicNeeds to present its Model for Mental Health and Development. In a mental health edition of the Lancet medical journal, BasicNeeds co-authored an article with the Director of Mental Health at WHO. The CEO will be directing the advocacy initiative of the Lancet’s Movement for Global Mental Health. A conference will be held in 2009.