This handbook analyses mental health policies systematically across a variety of both developed and developing countries. Mental health and public policy experts survey current policies, the public policy process and critical issues in 20 countries that are representative of different problems. The work considers the treatment of the mentally ill and mentally retarded; mentally disordered offences; questions of substance abuse; deinstitutionalisation; funding; and consumer rights. This reference, with its comprehensive and comparative survey, is designed for scholars, students, and professionals who deal with mental health and public policy issues.