Why is this field so important?
Mental health is becoming increasingly important because disorders of the brain and mind (neurological and psychiatric conditions) and their sequelae pose the largest health, economic and social capital burden to Australia of any disease group. According to the Department of Human Services, by 2016 disorders of the brain and mind will represent the highest health burden in Victoria. Burden of Disease Studies; Morbidity and Mortality. DHS, 1999
In 2003 Prof Pantelis was part of a Prime Ministerial Science Engineering & Innovation Council (PMSEIC) working group to advise the Prime Minister on ‘Disorders of the Brain and Mind’. The full report (available at www.dest.gov.au) highlighted the burden of disease issues relevant to schizophrenia and revealed the extent of the ongoing social and functional disabilities that affect these patients and their quality of life, where in any one month, some 58,000 Australian adults with schizophrenia or another psychotic illness will be in contact with mental health services.