Costing of the activities included in the plans is usually https://www.ihs.gov/california/index.cfm/offices/oph/bh/resources/helpful-organizations/ done formally at a basal level, i.e., rough estimates are provided to allow for the planning of expenditure. WHO action plans and Sustainable Development Goals are also frequently mentioned as the basis for initiating and launching MHPPs. Although many countries do not include this objective in their MHPPs, some do acknowledge its need by underlining the usage of the best methods and tools for all research and implementation activities. Ten countries describe in their MHPPs targets related to prevention such as early interventions or identification. Finally, one country addressed the establishment of a mental health department at the Ministry of Health and a mental health service at the regional health directorates.
Objective 3: To implement strategies for the promotion and prevention of mental health
Conditions such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome can have a direct negative impact on mental health. Disruptions to circadian rhythms, often caused by irregular sleep patterns, shift work, or excessive screen time, can lead to mood disturbances and heightened susceptibility to mental health issues. Adequate sleep is crucial for cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall mental health. Adopting healthy sleep habits, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a calming bedtime routine, and managing stress, is crucial for supporting mental well-being . Sleep disturbances also impair the body’s ability to recover and regulate neurotransmitters, further deepening the cycle of poor mental health.
Availability of data and materials
- Another gap is the rare inclusion of provisions for the evaluation of the implementation of MHPPs.
- Use these free education and outreach materials in your community and on social media to spread the word about mental health and related topics.
- The WHO Special Initiativefor Mental Health also boosts mentalhealth workforce capacity through various training programmes, including mhGAP, Self Help+ and QualityRights.
- These apps empower individuals to actively participate in their mental health management, enhancing treatment adherence and fostering a sense of control.
- The supraoptic nucleus (SON) regulates vasopressin, influencing social behavior and stress reactions.
Ultimately, investing in prevention is key to building a healthier and more resilient society . By expanding access to mental health resources, we can empower individuals to take proactive steps toward mental wellness, improving overall public health and creating stronger, more resilient communities . For global access, 7 Cups offers free online therapy and peer support, while Better-Help and Talk-space provide affordable online therapy services. Investing in mental health initiatives not only benefits individual employees but also strengthens the organization’s overall performance by promoting a positive and balanced work environment . As a result, they play a vital role in preventing mental health issues and promoting overall well-being . By fostering environments that prioritize social support and community engagement, individuals are more likely to feel valued and connected.
This study provides insight into the progress of the implementation of mental health plans and policies and allows us to map them against larger goals such as the WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan. In the absence of information regarding the progress of implementation of mental health policies and plans at the European level, it is important to establish an evidence base in this regard. MHPPs are generally in line with the WHO policy, aiming to strengthen care in the community, expand mental health promotion and illness prevention activities, improve quality of care, increase intersectoral collaboration, build workforce and system capacity, and improve adherence to human rights. We contacted 53 key informants from each country in the European region to triangulate the data from WHO Mental Health Atlases and to obtain access to the national mental health plans and policies.
Twenty-three were single-country studies and four evaluated more than one country. Only nine studies provided details on the content of their tools, of which two provided their interview and focus group guide templates in the Supplementary Materials (Doku et al., Reference Doku, Ofori-Atta, Akpalu, Read, Osei, Ae-Ngibise, Awenva, Lund, Flisher, Petersen, Bhana, Bird, Drew, Faydi, Funk, Green and Omar2008; Draper et al., Reference Draper, Lund, Kleintjes, Funk, Omar and Flisher2009). With the exception of one, all studies used surveys that were specially designed ad hoc self-administered questionnaires, with the WHO-AIMS Instrument and Survey Checklist being the only standardised tool used (Mwanza et al., Reference Mwanza, Sikwese, Mwanza, Mayeya, Lund, Bird, Drew, Faydi, Funk and Green2008). Various methods were employed to measure progress of implementation. Assessment of existence was expressed in qualitative or survey questions on whether any implementation activities were carried out. Only three studies presented results of assessment of entire MHPPs (Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council, 1997; Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, 2012; Loukidou et al., Reference Loukidou, Mastroyannakis, Power, Thornicroft, Craig and Bouras2013).
Reframing applied social science’s core purpose as managing complexity rather than reducing complexity will yield large returns on investment. Building the capacity of government and policy intermediaries to engage with multiple information sources will never completely resolve complexity, but this is the point. Governments that pursue policy design should similarly consider collaborations with community and advocacy organizations, which offer an accountability check on proposed ideas and beneficial cross-fertilization of expertise.