Stepping up progress: our three year strategy

Over the last nine months we have been reflecting on how we can best work towards this goal as an organisation. Holding in-depth consultations with a range of key partners, stakeholders and experts in the sector, we have worked to establish where we can truly add value as an organisation.

It is from these conversations that we have developed four key objectives that will guide our work over the next three years. Critically, these four objectives are all interconnected and interdependent, meaning that by achieving one we can positively influence the success of another.

Over the next three years, we want to:

Protect everyone’s right to enjoy the highest attainable level of mental health.

Far too often those with poor mental health have their human rights abused or entirely disregarded. We believe that mental health rights must be enshrined in law and that evidence-based policies must build on this legislation.

Establish optimal finance for mental health systems.

Improvements in legislation and policies cannot be implemented without the right investment. While universal access to mental health services and support funded domestically should be the ultimate goal, we believe that public and philanthropic aid can act as a catalyst to increase overall investment. And we believe greater investment, if it is tailored towards measures that truly uphold the rights of all, will lead to better mental health outcomes.

Ensure that quality, comprehensive and person-centred mental health services are accessible for all.

Strong legislation and well-financed policies are critical to delivering high-quality services, but it is essential that these are accessible. We believe that mental health is a cross-societal issue, and that mental health and psychosocial support can reach more people when integrated into sectors such as education, social welfare, the justice system and the workplace. Services therefore require a holistic approach if we are to ensure that good quality, rights-based support is accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Reduce stigma and discrimination by raising awareness about mental health among the general population.

For too long stigma and discrimination have been a barrier to accelerating progress on mental health. By breaking down this stigma we can increase mental health literacy about the general public and among decision makers. As a result those with the power to improve mental health legislation, systems and financing will be much more likely to do so, and those in need of support will be more likely to seek it.

The links between these objectives are clear. Far from working independently of one another, they are deeply intertwined and mutually reinforcing. Ultimately it is by working together that each of these four objectives can help us to build a better future. By protecting fundamental rights and strengthening systems around the globe, we can help to accelerate progress on our ultimate vision – a world where everyone, everywhere has someone to turn to when their mental health needs support.