Time for hard choices: A new global order for mental health
Article
Persaud, A., Valsraj, K., Gnanapragasam, S. and Tribe, R. 2023. Time for hard choices: A new global order for mental health. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 69 (1), p. 227 –228. https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640221112538
Authors | Persaud, A., Valsraj, K., Gnanapragasam, S. and Tribe, R. |
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Abstract | The World Health Organisation (WHO, 2021) Mental Health Atlas published every 3 years helps to monitor progress of the WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan. It reports on mental health policies, legislation, human resources, availability and utilisation of services, financing and data collection systems. The latest Atlas published covers the 2017 to 2020 period. Whilst a small time period in the analysis overlaps with the COVID-19 pandemic, results overall are unlikely to be attributable to the pandemic. The findings are stark – only one of the six targets set by global leaders has been achieved (reducing suicides by 10% between 2013 and 2020). Unfortunately, none of the targets for effective governance, community-based services, promotion and prevention, financing (investment in mental health remains below 2%) and strengthening of information systems were close to being achieved. When viewed in sum, the Atlas paints a disappointing picture of a worldwide failure to provide people with the adequate mental health services they need. The WHO approach, in the context of seeking to align the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan with the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, has been to extend the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan from 2020 to 2030. Despite the extension of 10 years, the ambitions remain the same. At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting a growing need for mental health support, is this WHO approach entirely sufficient? |
Journal | International Journal of Social Psychiatry |
Journal citation | 69 (1), p. 227 –228 |
ISSN | 1741-2854 |
Year | 2023 |
Publisher | SAGE Publications |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640221112538 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 17 Aug 2022 |
Feb 2023 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 30 Aug 2022 |
Copyright holder | © 2022 The Authors |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/8qz2q
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