WHO launches new guidance to address global mental health crisis
To strengthen mental health systems
In a significant move to address the global mental health crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled new guidance aimed at transforming mental health policies and systems worldwide.
The guidance addresses the growing disparity between the demand for mental health services and the limited availability of quality care, which is further exacerbated by underfunding in many regions. Despite the availability of effective treatment and prevention methods, millions of people with severe mental health conditions worldwide continue to lack access to the care they need.
According to the WHO, in some countries, up to 90% of individuals suffering from severe mental health conditions do not receive any care. In addition, many existing mental health services are still based on outdated institutional models that fail to meet international human rights standards, leaving those affected by mental health issues underserved and vulnerable.
The newly launched guidance addresses these disparities by providing governments with a clear framework to reform mental health services in line with current evidence and international human rights standards, ensuring that quality care is accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.
“Despite rising demand, quality mental health services remain out of reach for many people,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, during the launch. “This new guidance gives all governments the tools to promote and protect mental health and build systems that serve everyone.”
5 key areas
The new guidance focuses on five key areas for reform: leadership and governance, service organisation, workforce development, person-centred interventions, and addressing the social and structural determinants of mental health. It offers concrete actions to help countries close the gaps in mental health care and ensure that mental health is promoted and protected across populations.
The WHO’s guidance emphasises a holistic approach to mental health care. It advocates integrating physical health, psychological support, and social and economic interventions in mental health treatment. It also underscores the importance of addressing broader social factors, including employment, housing, and education, which significantly impact mental health.
A key feature of the guidance is the promotion of prevention strategies that focus on population-wide mental health and well-being, alongside the empowerment of individuals with lived experience in the design and implementation of mental health policies. This approach ensures that mental health services are responsive to the needs of those most affected.
The WHO guidance outlines a tailored approach to strengthening mental health systems by offering a menu of policy directives, strategies, and actions that can be adapted to suit the national context of different countries. It encourages policymakers to adjust their mental health strategies based on available resources and specific local needs in low, middle, or high-income settings.
“This new WHO guidance provides practical strategies for countries to build inclusive, responsive and resilient mental health systems,” said Dr Michelle Funk, Unit Head for Policy, Law, and Human Rights in the WHO Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. “Designed to be flexible, it allows all countries to adapt their approach to mental health care, ensuring that policies reflect national priorities and contexts.”
The WHO guidance was developed following extensive consultations with global experts, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience. It builds upon the WHO Quality Rights initiative, which promotes a person-centred, recovery-oriented, and rights-based approach to mental health care.
The WHO has also pledged to support countries in implementing these new strategies through technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring that nations have the necessary tools and support to establish sustainable and effective mental health systems.
The launch of this guidance marks a crucial step in global efforts to address the mental health crisis, with the new framework, the WHO is providing a comprehensive pathway for countries to build more inclusive, accessible, and human rights-respecting mental health systems, which is a necessary step in improving the mental well-being of millions around the world.
Image: The WHO’s guidance emphasises a holistic approach to mental health care. Credit: Ricky Esquivel
Last Updated on 2 days by Dan Ngiam
