The World Health Organization defines health as a "state of complete physical, mental and social well-being," yet little effort has been devoted to mental issues including assessments of the incidence and prevalence of disorders. There is, however, a growing recognition of the importance of mental health problems as part of the societal health burden. Estimates based on available data suggest that mental illness is present in developing societies in significant amounts and that mental illnesses impose substantial costs on those societies. The mental well-being of individuals who live in developing societies is thus a matter of increasing interest and concern.
