A United Nations General Assembly Special Session for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders: the time has come.

Bass, JK; Bornemann, TH; Burkey, M; Chehil, S; Chen, L; Copeland, JR; Eaton, WW; Ganju, V; Hayward, E; Hock, RS; +8 more...Kidwai, R; Kolappa, K; Lee, PT; Minas, H; Or, F; Raviola, GJ; Saraceno, B; Patel, V and (2012) A United Nations General Assembly Special Session for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders: the time has come. PLoS medicine, 9 (1). e1001159-. ISSN 1549-1277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001159

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Mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) disorders are leading causes of the global burden of disease and profoundly impact the social and economic well-being of individuals and communities. The majority of people affected by MNS disorders globally do not have access to evidence-based interventions and many experience discrimination and abuses of their human rights. A United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) is needed to focus global attention on MNS disorders as a core development issue requiring commitments to improve access to care, promote human rights, and strengthen the evidence on effective prevention and treatment.