Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use
Our work involves mental health promotion and the prevention of mental, neurological and substance use disorders. We support the expansion of access to affordable, quality care for everyone who needs it.
About us

Treatment & care

Treatment and care for mental, neurological and substance use conditions

People with mental, neurological and substance use conditions require access to affordable high-quality and evidence-based treatment and care that is consistent with human rights approaches. WHO assists countries to put in place quality care services and support networks through the development of technical standards and guidance.  

These include tools and interventions used across the life course that support: early child development; perinatal mental health; the mental and brain health of children and adolescents; people with mental and brain health conditions, and people with addictive behaviours and substance use disorders.

The WHO Comprehensive mental health action plan, 2013-2030 recommends pre-service education of health professionals on core competencies for mental, neurological and substance use care. WHO published a practical guide for the pre-service education of medical and nursing students.

Our work

Scaling up care for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders: mhGAP

Scaling up care for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders: mhGAP

WHO / Alison Brunier
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Overview

Mental, neurological and substance use disorders are highly prevalent and burdensome globally. The gap between what is urgently needed and what is available to reduce the burden is still very wide. 

WHO recognizes the need for action to reduce the burden, and to enhance the capacity of Member States to respond to this growing challenge. The WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) aims at scaling up services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders in countries, especially those in the low- and middle-income categories.  

Since it was introduced in 2008, mhGAP has been introduced in over 100 countries, so that many people have been treated for depression, schizophrenia, and epilepsy, prevented from suicide and supported to lead normal lives – even where resources are scarce 

The priority conditions addressed by mhGAP are: depression, psychoses, suicidal ideation, epilepsy, dementia, disorders due to use of alcohol and psychoactive substances, mental and behavioural disorders in children and other conditions including medically unexplained somatic complaints and emotional, physical or behavioural problems after exposure to an extreme stressor. 

Successful scaling up is the joint responsibility of governments, health professionals, civil society, communities, and families, with support from the international community. The essence of mhGAP is building partnerships for collective action. 

Key facts

Affordable strategies and interventions exist to treat mental disorders and promote mental health.

Yet, almost 75% of people with mental disorders remain untreated in low-resource settings.

 

Related technical units

Initiatives

The Joint UNODC-WHO Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care is a collaboration between UNODC and WHO to support the development of comprehensive, integrated health-based approaches to drug policies that can reduce demand for illicit substances, relieve suffering and decrease drug-related harm to individuals, families, communities and societies.