The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched new advice today to help all countries reform and strengthen mental health policies and systems. Mental health services around the world remain underfalling, with major gaps in access and quality. In some countries, Up to 90% of people with serious mental health problems Do not receive any care, while many existing services are based on exceeded institutional models which do not meet international standards of human rights.
The directives provide a clear framework to transform mental health services in accordance with the latest evidence and international human rights standards, ensuring that quality care is accessible to all.
“Despite growing demand, quality mental health services remain out of reach for many people,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Managing Director. “This new management gives all governments the tools to promote and protect mental health and the construction of systems that serve everyone.”
A plan for the transformation of mental health care
Although there are effective prevention and treatment interventions, most people living with mental health problems do not have access to it. The new WHO guide defines concrete actions to help countries fill these shortcomings and guarantee the promotion and protection of mental health, emphasizing:
- Protecting and maintaining human rights, ensuring mental health policies and services is aligned with international human rights standards;
- Promote holistic care by emphasizing the interventions of life and physical, psychological, social and economic health;
- approach the social and economic factors that shape and affect mental health, including employment, housing and education;
- implement prevention strategies and promote mental health and well-being on the population level; And
- Ensuring that people with lived experience are authorized to participate in the planning and design of policies to ensure that mental health policies and services meet their needs.
The directives identify five key political areas requiring urgent reform: leadership and governance, the organization of services, the development of labor, personal interventions and the fight against social and structural determinants of mental health.
A tailor -made approach to strengthen mental health systems
WHO’s advice serve as a critical tool for governments, decision -makers and stakeholders working to strengthen mental health systems and improve access to mental health care.
By offering a menu of political guidelines, strategies and actions to guide reform efforts, advice support political decision -makers to prioritize and adapt policies to their specific national context, in accordance with their available resources and operational structures.
“This new WHO guide provides practical strategies so that countries build inclusive, reactive and resistant mental health systems. Designed to be flexible, it allows all countries – whether low or high income or with income – to adapt their approach to mental health care based on the national context, needs and priorities,” Human rights for the WHO for mental health and mistreatment of substances.
Development and implementation of directives
The directives have been developed in consultation with global experts, decision -makers and individuals with lived experience. Political directives are also based on resources, advice and tools developed within the framework of Who Qualityrights Initiativeaimed at promoting a person -oriented approach, focused on recovery and mental health rights. Which will support countries in the implementation of directives thanks to technical assistance and capacity building initiatives.