Draft comprehensive mental health action plan 2013–2020
The burden of mental disorders continues to grow with significant impacts on health and major social, human rights and economic consequences in all countries across the world. In May 2012, the Sixty-fifth World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA65.4 on the global burden of mental disorders and the need for a comprehensive, coordinated response from health and social sectors at the country level. The World Health Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of World Health Organization (WHO), attended by delegations from all WHO Member States.
The 66th World Health Assembly will take place in Geneva from 20 to 28 May 2013. On the provisional agenda is consideration of the WHO draft comprehensive mental health action plan 2013–2020, which is likely to be endorsed.
The draft comprehensive mental health action plan 2013–2020 has been elaborated through consultations with Member States, civil society and international partners. It takes a comprehensive and multisectoral approach, through coordinated services from the health and social sectors, with an emphasis on promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, care and recovery. It also sets out clear actions for Member States, the Secretariat and international, regional and national level partners, and proposes key indicators and targets that can be used to evaluate levels of implementation, progress and impact.
The draft proposes a global vision and some core principles: universal access and equity in mental health, the promotion of human rights, the empowerment of persons with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities, the application of an evidenced-based practice and of a life-course and a multisectorial approach.
The action plan has the following objectives: (1) to strengthen effective leadership and governance for mental health; (2) to provide comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health and social care, services in community-based settings; (3) to implement strategies for promotion and prevention in mental health; and (4) to strengthen information systems, evidence and research for mental health.
The 66th World Health Assembly will be a key event in global efforts to focus attention on mental health.