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Chapter 26 - An Overview of International Perspectives on PICUs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2024

By
Angus McLellan  and
Andrew Molodynski
Edited by
Roland Dix ,
Stephen Dye  and
Stephen M. Pereira
Roland Dix
Affiliation:
Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester
Stephen Dye
Affiliation:
Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust, Ipswich
Stephen M. Pereira
Affiliation:
Keats House, London
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Summary

Psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs) are an important provision but are significantly under-provided internationally. Law, funding and stigma all have significant influence on mental health service provision and the consequent lack of access to appropriate treatment. Whilst this varies from country to country, there are themes throughout which can be applied everywhere. Improving legal frameworks, providing more resources, educating the population and working more closely with patients will be key to creating a truly global approach to severe mental illness. PICUs are a key element in providing safe, effective care for the most unwell people. Practices such as shackling need to end and mental health care in all countries around the world must be brought front and centre in the twenty-first century, having spent so long in the shadows.

Keywords

high-income group (HIG) countriesMental Health Act (MHA)psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU)mental health fundingmental illnessmental health law

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Chapter
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Psychiatric Intensive Care , pp. 324 - 331
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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