By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the release of groundbreaking new guidance aimed at reforming and enhancing mental health policies and systems worldwide.
This initiative comes in response to the growing demand for mental health services, which remains unmet in many countries due to underfunding and systemic gaps in access and quality of care. Alarmingly, up to 90% of individuals suffering from severe mental health conditions in some countries do not receive any treatment, with existing services often relying on outdated institutional models that conflict with international human rights standards.
The new guidance offers a comprehensive framework intended to transform mental health services, ensuring they are aligned with contemporary evidence and uphold human rights.
“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 guidance equips governments with essential tools to promote and protect mental health, ensuring systems serve everyone,” he added
The WHO guidance emphasizes the importance of upholding human rights by ensuring that mental health policies align with international standards.
It advocates for holistic care, combining lifestyle, physical health, psychological, social, and economic interventions.
The guidance also addresses social determinants impacting mental health, such as employment, housing, and education, while promoting prevention strategies that foster mental well-being across populations. Engaging individuals with lived experiences in policy planning and design is also a critical aspect of the guidance.
The report highlights five essential policy areas requiring immediate attention: leadership and governance, service organization, workforce development, person-centered interventions, and the social determinants of mental health.
Designed for flexibility, the WHO guidance serves as an essential resource for governments and stakeholders seeking to improve mental health systems. It provides a menu of policy directives that can be adapted to suit each country’s specific context and resource availability.
“This new WHO guidance offers practical strategies for countries to build inclusive, responsive, and resilient mental health systems,” remarked Dr. Michelle Funk, Unit Head of Policy, Law, and Human Rights at WHO.
She emphasized that the guidance allows countries, regardless of income level to tailor their mental health care approaches to meet national needs and priorities.
Developed through consultations with global experts, policymakers, and individuals with lived experiences, this guidance builds on the WHO Quality Rights initiative, promoting a person-centered and rights-based approach to mental health.