The global burden of neuropsychiatric disorders is substantial. When measured by years lived with disability and years lost due to premature death in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), psychiatric and neurological conditions accounted for 13% of the global burden of disease in 2002 (WHO, 2004). Despite the huge burden of mental illness, few human and financial resources are directed towards mental health care. Mental health spending in many countries of the world is less than 1% of the health budget, and the number of mental health professionals is grossly inadequate (WHO, 2005a)
