World Health Organisation, WHO, has unveiled new guidance to help countries reform and strengthen their mental health policies and systems.
In a statement released yesterday, WHO highlighted that mental health services worldwide remain underfunded, with significant gaps in access and quality of care.
The statement noted that, in some countries, up to 90 percent of individuals with severe mental health conditions received no care at all.
“Many existing services still rely on outdated institutional models that fail to meet international human rights standards.
“The guidance offers a clear framework to transform mental health services based on the latest evidence and international human rights standards, ensuring that quality care is accessible to all,” the statement said.
Director-General, WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, stressed that in spite of increasing demand, quality mental health services are still out of reach for many.
“This new guidance provides government with the tools to promote and protect mental health and create systems that serve everyone,” Ghebreyesus said.
He added that while effective prevention and treatment methods exist, most people living with mental health conditions lack access to them.
“The new guidance sets out concrete actions to help countries bridge these gaps and ensure that mental health is promoted and protected, with a strong focus on upholding human rights.”
Ghebreyesus also emphasised that the guidance aligns mental health policies and services with international human rights standards, promotes holistic care and addresses lifestyle and physical health alongside psychological, social and economic interventions.
He highlighted the importance of tackling social and economic factors like employment, housing and education, which affect mental health, and ensure the involvement of people with lived experience in policy planning and design.
“The guidance identifies five key policy areas that urgently require reforms: leadership and governance, service organisation, workforce development, person-centred interventions and addressing the social and structural determinants of mental health.”
Ghebreyesus noted that the guidance serves as a critical tool for governments, policymakers and stakeholders working to strengthen mental health systems and improved access to care.
“By offering a variety of policy directives, strategies and actions, it supports policymakers in prioritising and tailoring reforms according to their national context, resources and operational structures.”
Unit Head for Policy, Law and Human Rights in WHO’s Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Dr Michelle Funk stated that the guidance provides practical strategies for countries to build inclusive, responsive and resilient mental health systems.
“Designed to be flexible, it can be adapted by all countries, whether low-, middle-, or high-income, based on their specific needs and priorities.”
Funk added that the guidance was developed in consultation with global experts, policymakers and individuals with lived experiences.
She also mentioned that it built on resources and tools from WHO’s QualityRights initiative, which promotes a person-centred, recovery-oriented and rights-based approach to mental health.
“WHO will support countries in implementing this guidance through technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives,” Funk said. NAN
