The World Health Organization (WHO) this week launched new guidance for all countries to strengthen mental health policies and systems.
To address significant gaps in access and quality of mental health care across the world, the organization created the five-module framework outlining how countries can transform mental health services to ensure quality care that is accessible to all.
The guidance could be helpful to providers in the United States. Although President Trump issued an executive order in January shortly after taking office to withdraw from the organization, Reuters reports that Trump may be open to rejoining WHO under certain conditions, including putting an American in charge. Public health activists and U.S. lawmakers have also urged Trump to reconsider the withdrawal.
WHO’s previous World Mental Health report, which found some countries have up 90 percent of people with severe mental health conditions who receive no care at all and others with outdated services and models, underscores the need for such policy changes.
"Despite rising demand, quality mental health services remain out of reach for many people," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, in a statement. "This new guidance gives all governments the tools to promote and protect mental health and build systems that serve everyone.”
The five modules include:
An introduction to the purpose and use of the guidance to outline key considerations in mental health policy and the need to address social and structural determinants of health that impact mental health, such as poverty, employment, housing, and education.
Key reform areas, directives, strategies, and actions for mental health policy and strategic action plans, including five key policy areas for reform:
- Leadership, governance, and other enablers
- Service organization and development
- Human resource and workforce development
- Person-centered, recovery-oriented and rights-based assessment, interventions, and support
- Mental health sector contributions to addressing social and structural determinants and society-wide issues impacting mental health and well-being
The process for developing, implementing, and evaluating mental health policy and strategic action plans. The module includes a nine-step process paired with checklists to assess and evaluate pre-existing and new policies.
Three country case scenarios to demonstrate various approaches countries can take to reform their mental health policies.
A comprehensive directory of policy areas, directives, strategies, and actions for mental health, including the key reform areas, directives, strategies, and actions outlined in the second module.
“Our collective vision is for a world where mental health is integrated into primary health care, and where services are accessible, respectful, and empowering,” wrote Dr. Ghebreyesus in the guidance. “Mental health planning should also take into account the social and structural factors such as poverty, housing, education, and employment, as well as the negative impact of stigma, discrimination, and other systemic barriers. Addressing these interconnected issues is fundamental to achieving holistic and sustainable outcomes. Collaboration across sectors is essential to implement equitable and effective community-based services.”