Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders are prevalent in all regions of the world and are major contributors to morbidity and premature mortality. The resources that have been provided to tackle the huge burden of MNS disorders are insufficient, inequitably distributed, and inefficiently used. The result is a large treatment gap, more than 75% in many countries with low and lower middle incomes.
To reduce the treatment gap and enhance the capacity of Member States to respond to the growing challenge, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP). The mhGAP aims at scaling up services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders in countries, especially those in the low- and middle-income categories. An essential component of mhGAP is the evidence-based guidelines for mental, neurological and substance use disorders identified as conditions of high priority. These evidence-based guidelines were developed first in 2010 and updated in 2015. In keeping with WHO’s practice of regularly monitoring new and emerging evidence in these areas, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Use has initiated the process of updating the mhGAP guideline.
This guideline is intended to assist health care providers working at a first or second level facility or at district level including basic outpatient and inpatient services. It is also intended for use by health care planners and programme managers in close conceptual and strategic synergy with the WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030 and the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (2019-2023).
Ten modules have been identified for inclusion in the mhGAP guideline update: anxiety; depression; psychoses and bipolar disorders; epilepsy and seizures; child & adolescent mental disorders; dementia; alcohol use disorders; drug use disorders; self-harm and suicide; conditions related to stress & other significant emotional and medical unexplained somatic complaints.
The WHO is considering the following experts to join its Guideline Development Group (GDG).