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Published May 11, 2018 | Version v1.0.0
Masters Thesis Open

Mental health services and primary care integration - a case for Costa Rica

Novak, Evan

Description

A Northwestern University Capstone Project

Abstract

More research is needed to identify the best mechanisms to combat the existing treatment gap in global mental healthcare. Low- and middle-income countries are beginning to experience increasing disease burden related to neurologic, mental, and substance use disorders, but these countries are exponentially more susceptible to their toll on health systems than are more economically advantaged nations. Costa Rica has long been hailed as a model nation with respect to its sanitation, public education, and public health systems. This paper outlines the progression of the global health movement, and the development of the Costa Rican healthcare system in the context of mental health services and mental health research. Costa Rica is used as a prime example of responsive and effective policy changes in relation to both peer countries in Latin America and developed countries including the United States and Canada. After exploring health systems that have initiated efforts to combat the treatment gap in mental health care, integration with primary care will be examined as an alternative to targeted interventions.

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Additional details

Created:
March 31, 2023
Modified:
March 31, 2023