We are delighted to share with you the December 2024 newsletter from the mental health, brain health, and substance use department of WHO
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December 2024
Message from the Director
As the year comes to a close, this final edition of our newsletter reflects on the work undertaken in recent months by WHO, with partners, to strengthen mental health, brain health, and substance use (MNS) systems worldwide.
The guidance provided by the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Mental Health, Brain Health, and Substance Use (STAG-MNS) has been invaluable to our work and our mission. As the group's first term concludes, we recognize its contributions, including the development of a new integrated MNS framework and an advocacy strategy to enhance recognition, inclusion, and access to services for those living with MNS conditions.
We are now accepting applications for the second term of the STAG-MNS, and encourage experts, advocates, and individuals with lived experience to apply
WHO has advanced several evidence-based tools and resources to support the scaling up of evidence-based, accessible, and person-centered care. Recent highlights include the republication of WHO-5 well-being index as a WHO product, the recently launched Preferred Product Characteristics for Alzheimer biomarkers, and the Spanish version of the joint WHO/OHCHR mental health guidance. Capacity building events such as the global MHPSS preparedness workshop and EQUIP training underscore our commitment to practical, scalable solutions for mental health.
Political will is essential to sustain and scale up these efforts. We extend our gratitude to the Permanent Missions of China and the Netherlands for co-hosting a symposium on adolescent mental health in November to discuss the WHO-UNICEF service guidance for young people. Through the Special Initiative for Mental Health, we continue working with policy makers to address systemic barriers and foster environments that support comprehensive reform.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to advancing our collective work on mental health, brain health and substance use. We look forward to continuing our work together in 2025.
With warm wishes for the holiday season and year ahead,
— Dévora Kestel, Director, Department of Mental health, Brain health and Substance use
Call for applications: WHO’s Advisory Group on Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use
WHO is seeking applications for its Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Mental Health, Brain Health, and Substance Use (STAG-MNS). This group provides critical guidance to WHO leadership on global priorities and strategies addressing mental health, neurological disorders, and substance use.
Experts with substantial experience in public health, clinical practice, policy, or advocacy are encouraged to apply, including those with lived experience of MNS conditions.
Applications close on 10 January 2025.
Advancing integrated approaches to mental, brain, and substance use
Mental health, brain health, and substance use conditions are increasingly recognized as integral components of overall health and well-being, yet they remain too often isolated from mainstream healthcare systems. WHO has developed an integrated operational framework to promote a holistic, person-centred approach to address this challenge. In collaboration with the Strategic Technical Advisory Group for Mental Health, Brain Health, and Substance Use (STAG-MNS), the framework highlights the interconnectedness of these conditions and their links to other health issues. It provides practical guidance for strengthening public health responses and improving health outcomes.
To complement and support this framework, WHO has also developed an advocacy strategy to enhance recognition, social inclusion, and access to essential services for those living with MNS conditions.
Finding My Voice: Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, WHO and the International Cerebral Palsy Society (ICPS) hosted a discussion: "Finding My Voice - Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy". The webinar brought together experts and youth advocates with CP to discuss the experiences and expectations of young people living with cerebral palsy. Panelists discussed key challenges in empowering adolescents with CP and highlighted strategies for enhancing social inclusion and well-being. A recording is available here.
Symposium on Adolescent Mental Health
In December 2024, the Permanent Missions of China and the Netherlands co-hosted a symposium on mental health services for children and adolescents. The event featured the launch of the new WHO-UNICEF service guidance for young people, which provides practical steps for improving access to quality mental health care. The guidance highlights the importance of co-design with young people, workforce development, and stronger accountability to enhance service delivery and ensure sustainable improvements in mental health care for children and adolescents.
Overcoming political challenges to transforming mental health systems
In a recent WHO webinar, experts discussed the progress, achievements, and ongoing challenges faced by countries involved in WHO’s Special Initiative for Mental Health. The session focused on how political processes shape mental health system transformation. Participants heard the latest findings, reflections on experiences, and strategies for sustainable mental health reform.
WHO publishes PPC for blood tests for Alzheimer Disease
WHO has released preferred product characteristics (PPC) for blood-based biomarkers to support early detection of Alzheimer disease. The PPCs aim to inform the development of affordable, accessible, and reliable tests, particularly for use in low-resource settings. Blood-based biomarkers could revolutionize diagnosis, offering a simpler, less invasive alternative to current methods, and enabling earlier intervention and care planning. This milestone supports global efforts to improve dementia care and reduce health inequities.
“Build Better Before”: Global workshop on MHPSS preparedness
In October, WHO convened the Build Better Before: Scaling Up Capacity for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Preparedness Workshop and Full-scale Simulation Exercise in Ankara, Türkiye. This global capacity-building workshop was organized with the Social Inclusion of Persons with Mental Disabilities Project and supported by the Turkish Ministries of Health and Family and Social Services. The event brought together over 60 health professionals, emergency responders, and mental health leaders across 26 countries from 6 continents to strengthen MHPSS readiness for emergencies. Participants engaged in two days of theoretical training, followed by a hands-on simulation replicating real-life emergencies. This exercise emphasized intersectoral coordination and effective MHPSS responses. At the national level, WHO is supporting similar efforts, such as developing an MHPSS preparedness strategy in Bangladesh with partners from Bangladesh and Nepal.
The next global workshop is planned for April 2025 in Ethiopia. Stay informed about applications here or email buildbetterbefore@who.int for more information.
WHO releases new SH+ training manual
WHO’s new training manual supports the delivery of Self-Help Plus (SH+), a 5-session multimedia stress management course, designed for groups of up to 30 people. The manual is for people or organizations wanting to train SH+ facilitators. It contains all the information needed to deliver a training and implement SH+, including key information for setting up and implementing SH+, and instructions for training workshops.
EQUIP training: Driving quality in mental health care
In September 2024, WHO’s EQUIP (Ensuring Quality in Psychosocial and Mental Health Care) team, supported by project partners from UNICEF and George Washington University, delivered a training of trainers on EQUIP in Istanbul, Türkiye. Thirty people from international organizations, NGOs and multiple sectors, representing all WHO regions, learned how to apply the EQUIP competency development approach in psychosocial and mental health trainings. Follow-up meetings show the majority of attending organizations have since integrated EQUIP, either directly in trainings and supervision or policies to support the delivery of quality mental health care.
WHO-5: A global tool for measuring well-being
The WHO-5, a self-report instrument for measuring mental well-being, is now available under a Creative Commons license. Translated, tested, and used in over 30 languages worldwide, this widely applicable tool provides valuable insights into mental health across diverse settings. It’s an essential resource for assessing well-being in different populations. Access the WHO-5 and its translations here.
Suicide prevention: LIVE LIFE initiative
WHO has launched the LIVE LIFE initiative, a global effort to prevent suicide through community-based actions and support systems. WHO also recently published Preventing Suicide by Phasing Out Highly Hazardous Pesticides, addressing that the role of pesticide regulation in reducing suicide rates. These efforts are part of WHO’s ongoing commitment to scaling up suicide prevention efforts globally.
Joint WHO/OHCHR mental health, human rights and law guidance available in Spanish
WHO and OHCHR’s joint guidance on mental health, human rights, and legislation is now available in Spanish. It provides guidance on reform principles, legislative provisions, and a rights-based process, alongside a practical checklist for implementation.
The resource is designed for legislators, policymakers, health professionals, advocacy groups, and monitoring authorities, supporting efforts to transform mental health systems.
