Mental Health in the Global Health Architecture

Mental Health Is Key To the Future Global Health Architecture

Governments, donors, researchers, private sector companies, civil society organisations and many more are debating the future of the Global Health Architecture (GHA): the organisations and systems responsible for ensuring good health for all. The conversations will shape future policies, prioritisation and funding for mental health from the World Health Organization and other global health bodies.

The next 2 years will shape the future of health. We cannot achieve health for all if we continue to treat mental health as an afterthought.

Our Position: A Holistic Approach to Health

At UnitedGMH, we believe the GHA must evolve to reflect the reality of modern health burdens. While communicable diseases remain a challenge, and diseases of epidemic potential pose a real risk, there has been a massive rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental ill health. There is a growing recognition of the comorbidity between physical and mental health. Young people are experiencing record levels of mental ill health: supporting them is essential to our present and future. In health emergencies, including pandemics, mental health is a key concern for affected populations and the health workers supporting them. And technology is rapidly changing how people address their mental health needs.

Mental Health Integration Will:

• Save Lives: Supporting mental health during the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions like HIV, cancer, or heart disease saves lives. People with severe mental health conditions often die 10 to 20 years earlier than they should because their physical health needs are not properly supported. 
• Reform Health Systems: Mental health spending is focused on institutions for adults. There is little funding for primary health care or young people’s mental health needs. If we change the focus, we reform the system. 
• Leverage Technology: The number of people seeking health support online is rapidly growing. To future-proof the global health architecture, it needs to address the lack of national, regional and global policies to harness AI and digital health tools to support – not harm – mental health. 
• Address Health Inequities: Mental ill health is often experienced by the most disadvantaged and marginalised in society, and by large numbers of society. A future global health architecture committed to equity and to reaching those most left behind must place mental health at its core. 
• Uphold Human Rights: Everyone has the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. In many countries, the law discriminates against those with mental health needs. To change the law, we need national, regional and international action.

 

What Is the Future GHA?

To modernise the GHA, we need reforms in four critical areas:

1. Access to Knowledge and Interventions

Knowledge about what works, new norms and standards on mental health need to be rapidly shared among and beyond the GHA. The mental health interventions that people want to access are not part of the global procurement systems that exist for other diseases. We need:

• Dissemination of knowledge across organisations and communities.
• Technology that works for, not against, good mental health 
• Pooled procurement to reduce costs.
• National Essential Medicines Lists to include mental health medications.
• An end to frequent “stockouts” that interrupt care.

2. Crisis Preparedness and Response

Mental ill health is a large part of the health burden in emergencies and pandemics, and (as COVID has clearly shown) the impacts on mental health of emergencies and pandemics endure. Addressing mental health needs must therefore be included in the GHA discussions on crisis planning, response and recovery. 

• Planning: Identifying the most vulnerable and prepositioning support.
• Response: Stopping health workers’ burnout and supporting affected communities to adjust.
• Recovery: Managing the demand for mental health support among those most affected.

3. Community-Led Voices

A future global health architecture committed to equity and to reaching those most left behind must therefore place mental health at its core. The future of the GHA must be shaped by those it impacts most and include: 

• A diversity of lived experience experts.
• Global Majority (i.e. LMICs) leadership at the global and regional levels.
• Young people leading efforts to reform health systems.
• Community-led organisations, not commercial interests.

4. Integrated Health Systems

Integrating mental health into Primary Health Care enables early intervention, continuity of care, reduced stigma, and more efficient use of limited resources. To do this effectively requires the development of the health workforce.

• Moving from tertiary to primary health care as the focus for delivering mental health services.
• Ensuring mental health care meets professional standards.
• Supporting the mental health and welfare of the health workforce.
• Leveraging technology to help manage and deliver better care

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To learn more, read the Global Mental Health Action Network’s Briefing https://gmhan.org/briefs-and-guides/global-health-architecture

To participate in the HEAR CSOs survey * deadline February 28* see here: https://gmhan.org/briefs-and-guides/global-health-architecture

For a guide to the HEAR CSOs survey, see here: https://gmhan.org/briefs-and-guides/global-health-architecture