A health worker talks to the group of mentally disabled patients before the counselling session starts in Malolos, Bulacan
Strengthening government action on mental health
The development and implementation of well-defined mental health policies and plans are critical to good governance and leadership for mental health. These contribute to improving the organization, accessibility, and quality of service delivery, and fostering engagement with stakeholders, including people with lived experience, their care givers, and the community at large. Government leadership, setting clear targets and areas for action, allocating sufficient resources, an evidence-based approach, and a commitment to human rights, health equity, and reaching the unreached will be key.
WHO supports Member States in establishing appropriate institutional, legal, financing and service arrangements to ensure that the mental health of the population is protected, promoted, and restored, and substance use is controlled. In addition, WHO regularly collects information on mental health policies and resources, through the Mental Health Atlas, and collaborates with partners and networks to build leadership capacity and strengthen governance.
