The World Health Organization (WHO) today launched new guidance to help all countries reform and strengthen their mental health policies and systems. Mental health services remain underfunded worldwide, with a huge gap in access and quality. In some countries, up to 90% of people with severe mental health conditions pay no attention, but many existing services rely on outdated institutional models that do not meet international human rights standards.
This guidance provides a clear framework to transform mental health services in line with current evidence and international human rights standards, ensuring that quality care is available to all.
“Despite growing demand, quality mental health services remain out of reach for many,” said director Dr. Tedros Adhanom Gebrees. “This new guidance provides the tools for all governments to promote and protect mental health and build systems that serve all.”
Blueprints for transforming mental health care
Effective prevention and treatment interventions exist, but most people living in mental health conditions do not have access to these. The new WHO guidance sets concrete actions to ensure that countries close these gaps and promote and protect mental health.
- Protection and support for human rights, as well as ensuring mental health policies and services are consistent with international human rights standards.
- Promoting holistic care with an emphasis on lifestyle and physical health, psychological, social and economic interventions.
- Address social and economic factors that shape and influence mental health, such as employment, housing, and education.
- Implement prevention strategies and promote mental health and well-being of the entire population. and
- People with living experience are permitted to participate in policy planning and design to ensure that mental health policies and services meet their needs.
This guidance identifies five key policy areas that require urgent reform. Addressing social and structural determinants of leadership and governance, service organizations, workforce development, individual-centered interventions, and mental health.
A customized approach to strengthening your mental health system
WHO guidance serves as an important tool for governments, policymakers and stakeholders working to strengthen the mental health system and improve access to mental health care.
By providing a menu of policy directives, strategies, and actions to guide reform efforts, guidance supports policy makers who prioritize and coordinate policies in a particular national context, in line with available resources and operational structures.
“This new WHO guidance provides a practical strategy for countries to build comprehensive, responsive, resilient mental health systems. Designed to be flexible, it allows for adapting approaches to mental health care based on the national context, needs and priorities, whether low- or middle-income or high-income earners.”
Development and implementation of guidance
This guidance was developed in consultation with global experts, policymakers, and individuals with living experience. This policy guidance is also based on resources, guidance and tools developed under the Who Qualitys initiative and aims to promote a personal-centered, resilience-oriented, rights-based approach to mental health. Those who support the nation implementing guidance through technical assistance and capacity building initiatives.
