Mental disorders contribute significantly to the Global Burden of Disease. Four out of the ten diseases with the highest burden are psychiatric. About 25% of all individuals develop one or more psychiatric and behavioural disorders during their lifetime. Unipolar depression ranges as the leading mental disorder with respect to Disability Adjusted Life Years. The major psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and depression are found in all cultures and result in significant disability. The cost of mental disorders worldwide needs to be more generally recognized.