A Brief Overview of the Development of Mental Health in Iran, Present Challenges and the Road Ahead

Abstract

Community Based Mental Health Services was brought to Iran during the decade of 1970s to decentralize services, decrease reliance on hospitalization and integrate the everyday life of chronic patients into the mainstream of social life. During the decade 1980s, integration of health provision and medical education, and development of a network of “Primary Health Care (PHC)” were two important successful strategic steps for the development of health in Iran. The PHC programme, which mainly addressed the needs of a basically rural population, was an excellent starting point, but is no longer enough. Attention to issues like, the effects of unplanned urbanization, drug abuse, family issues like divorce, changing character and symptomatology of diseases, public-private partnership, social determinants of mental health, and the relationship between different levels of mental health provision in the urban settings are important for future programme.