Preface / Dr. Michelle Funk, Dr. Benedetto Saraceno -- What is a mental health information system? -- What

are the main stages of an MHIS? -- From where should information be coleccted? -- What types of inbformation

should be coleccted? -- Benefits of an MHIS -- Common problems with healtd information systems -- Principles

of MHIS development -- Start small, but keep the big picture in view -- Use indicators -- Establish a minimum

data set -- Make the MHIS user-friendly -- Clarify the relationship of the MHIS with information systems in

the general health and other sectors -- Consult with all stakeholders -- Link MHIS development to wider

service development -- Consider routine and non-routine data -- Considerer how epidemiological data should be

included in the MHIS -- Endure privacy, confidentiality, access to information and consent -- Address specific

mental health information needs -- Steps in designing and implementing a mental health information system --

Needs assessment: what information do we need? -- Situation analysis: what information do we have? --

Implementation: how can we get the information we need? -- Evaluation: how well is the MHIS working? --

Barriers and solutions in MHIS -- Conclusión -- Annex: A WHO instrument to assess mental health systems and

services at country level -- Country examples -- Using non-routine and routine data collection methods --

Definitions -- References --