International and national policy challenges in mental health.

Abstract

This is the third paper in our series of four articles addressing mental health and the global development agenda. The first paper addressed core conceptual issues in mental health1 the second addressed social, economic, human rights and political challenges to global mental health,2 this third paper examines international and national policy challenges to mental health and the fourth paper addresses health system challenges to the implementation of mental health policy.3 Thus this paper looks at how mental health fits within the global health agenda. It highlights the role that different types of international stake-holders can play in fostering investment in mental health policy and practice, and examines some of the challenges faced by national and international policy makers, including the need for indicators on mental health, better dissemination of information on the case for investing in mental health and better access to mental health services. One key area for action concerns human and technical resource planning, including the outward migration of health professionals in countries with very limited human capacity.