Objectives:To assess the myths, beliefs and perceptions about mental disorders and health-seeking behavior in general population and medical professionals of India.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 436 subjects (360 subjects from urban and rural communities of Delhi and 76 medical professionals working in different organizations in Delhi). A pre-tested questionnaire consisting items on perceptions, myths, and beliefs about causes, treatment, and health-seeking behavior for mental disorders was used. The collected data were statistically analyzed using computer software package Epi-info. Appropriate tests of significance were applied to detect any significant association.Results:The mental disorders were thought to be because of loss of semen or vaginal secretion (33.9% rural, 8.6% urban, 1.3% professionals), less sexual desire (23.7% rural, 18% urban), excessive masturbation (15.3% rural, 9.8% urban), God's punishment for their past sins (39.6% rural, 20.7% urban, 5.2% professionals), and polluted air (51.5% rural, 11.5% urban, 5.2% professionals). More people (37.7%) living in joint families than in nuclear families (26.5%) believed that sadness and unhappiness cause mental disorders. 34.8% of the rural subjects and 18% of the urban subjects believed that children do not get mental disorders, which means they have conception of adult-oriented mental disorders. 40.2% in rural areas, 33.3% in urban areas, and 7.9% professionals believed that mental illnesses are untreatable. Many believed that psychiatrists are eccentric (46.1% rural, 8.4% urban, 7.9% professionals), tend to know nothing, and do nothing (21.5% rural, 13.7% urban, 3.9% professionals), while 74.4% of rural subjects, 37.1% of urban subjects, and 17.6% professionals did not know that psychiatry is a branch of medicine. More people in rural areas than in urban area thought that keeping fasting or a faith healer can cure them from mental illnesses, whereas 11.8% of medical professionals believed the same. Most of the people reported that they liked to go to someone close who could listen to their problems, when they were sad and anxious. Only 15.6% of urban and 34.4% of the rural population reported that they would like to go to a psychiatrist when they or their family members are suffering from mental illness.Conclusion:It can be concluded from this study that the myths and misconceptions are significantly more prevalent in rural areas than in urban areas and among medical professionals, and the people need to be communicated to change their behavior and develop a positive attitude toward mental disorders so that health-seeking behavior can improve.

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RÉHABILITATION PSYCHOSOCIALE Le Manifeste de Reh@b' : propositions pour une meilleure prise en charge des personnes présentant des troubles psychiatriques chroniques et invalidants Document élaboré et validé par le congrès de Versailles (13 et 14 mars 2008

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L’article présente l’introduction d’un dossier qui résume les questions qu’ont soulevé à un groupe de travail pluridisciplinaire, le travail avec la famille lors de la première hospitalisation pour un épisode psychotique... En effet nous avons élaboré depuis quatre ans, sous l’égide de la Fédération Française de Psychiatrie à la suite de la lettre d’un parent, un travail de commission en partenariat avec l’UNAFAM. Ce groupe de travail pluridisciplinaire a rassemblé pédopsychiatres, psychiatres d’adultes, psychologues, de formations diverses et travaillant dans des contextes soignants différents, infirmiers, médecin généraliste, et un membre régulier de l’UNAFAM. Nous sommes heureux de vous présenter les premiers résultats de ce travail initié par le Dr Roche-Rabreau dont l’article figure dans ce dossier. Nous souhaiterions que ce travail puisse permettre l’élaboration de recommandations de bonnes pratiques, comme celles élaborées dans différents aspects de la pratique psychiatrique. En annexe, nous avons mis un résumé des recommandations travaillées en commission, et présentées lors de diverses manifestions psychiatriques ainsi qu’à la Fédération Française de Psychiatrie.