The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched new guidance to help all countries reform and strengthen mental health policies and systems. Mental health services worldwide remain underfunded, with major gaps in access and quality. In some countries, up to 90% of people with severe mental health conditions receive no care at all, while many existing services rely on outdated institutional models that fail to meet international human rights standards.
The guidance provides a clear framework to transform mental health services in line with the latest evidence and international human rights standards, ensuring quality care is accessible to all.
“Despite rising demand, quality mental health services remain out of reach for many people,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This new guidance gives all governments the tools to promote and protect mental health and build systems that serve everyone.”
While effective prevention and treatment interventions exist, most people living with mental health conditions do not have access to these.
The guidance identifies five key policy areas requiring urgent reform: leadership and governance, service organization, workforce development, person-centred interventions, and addressing social and structural determinants of mental health.
The guidelines hold importance particularly in the context of India where lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in India is 13.7%. National studies reveal that 15% of India’s adult population experiences mental health issues requiring intervention. Urban areas have a higher prevalence (13.5%) compared to rural (6.9%).
The WHO estimates that the burden of mental health problems in India is 2443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 10000 population; the age-adjusted suicide rate per 100000 population is 21.1. The economic loss due to mental health conditions, between 2012-2030, is estimated at USD 1.03 trillion.
The WHO guidance serves as a critical tool for governments, policymakers, and stakeholders working to strengthen mental health systems and improve access to mental health care.
By offering a menu of policy directives, strategies and actions to guide reform efforts, the guidance developed in consultation with global experts, policymakers and individuals with lived experience supports policy makers to prioritize and tailor policies to their specific national context, in line with their available resources and operational structures.
“This new WHO guidance provides practical strategies for countries to build inclusive, responsive and resilient mental health systems. Designed to be flexible, it allows all countries – whether low- middle- or high-income – to adapt their approach to mental health care based on national context, needs, and priorities,” said Dr Michelle Funk, Unit Head, Policy, Law and Human Rights in the WHO Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
The policy guidance also builds on the resources, guidance and tools developed under the WHO QualityRights initiative, aiming to promote a person-centred, recovery-oriented and rights-based approach to mental health. WHO will support countries in implementing the guidance through technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives.
The India’s Economic Survey 2024-25, has suggested enhancing mental health education in schools by early intervention strategies to address anxiety, stress, and behavioural issues in students.
It has also called for Improvement in workplace mental health policies with an aim to address job stress, long working hours, and burnout.
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