q The World Health Organisation ranks mental disorders second only to infectious diseases in terms of the global burden of disease. Mental disorders have a greater effect on the world's population than Aids, TB and malaria combined.
q Five of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide are mental health conditions such as depression and schizophrenia. In Ireland, 25 per cent of GPs' caseload have mental health issues.
q In Ireland in 1961, the rate of psychiatric beds at 7.3 per 1,000 population (about 20,000 people) was among the highest in the world.
q By 1984 the number of patients in psychiatric hospitals had reduced to 12,500.
q By 2004 there were 3,500 people in psychiatric hospitals.
q A Vision for Change recommends that the remaining 15 psychiatric hospitals be closed. Outpatient clinics based in community mental health centres, day hospitals, crisis houses and acute inpatient units in general hospitals are proposed to replace psychiatric hospitals.