WHO launches new guidance to promote mental health across all government sectors

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidance on policy and strategic actions to protect and promote mental health across government sectors, marking a major step toward a “mental health in all policies” approach. The guidance sets out, for the first time, what different government sectors can do, individually and collaboratively, to promote and protect population-wide mental health and well-being.

Building on WHO’s Guidance on Mental Health Policy and Strategic Action Plans launched earlier this year, which defines the essential components of rights-based and good-quality mental health systems and services, the new sectoral guidance expands the focus beyond the mental health sector. It provides clear guidance for ministries and agencies across government to integrate mental health considerations into their core policies, strategies, and programmes.

The publication covers guidance on establishing a high-level cross-sectoral initiative on mental health as well as on protecting and promoting mental health and well-being in 10 key sectors: 

• Culture, arts and sport
• Defense and veterans
• Education
• Employment
• Environment, conservation and climate protection
• Health
• Interior
• Justice
• Social protection
• Urban and rural development

Guidance for each of the sectors identifies key policy directives, strategic actions, and example indicators that can be used to measure progress and adapt implementation to national and local contexts.

Grounded in human rights, equity, and evidence, the guidance emphasizes both the costs of inaction and the societal benefits of investing in mental health. It calls for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach that unites senior leaders and other actors and drivers across sectors, promotes collaboration, and ensures accountability and sustainable financing for mental health.

The guidance also includes a roadmap to support governments in translating commitment into action. The roadmap outlines eight practical steps, from initiating high-level dialogue and reviewing existing policies to implementing, monitoring and evaluating progress, to support all government sectors in building and sustaining policies that promote mental health and well-being for all.

The Guidance comprises an overarching document containing all sections, along with separate publications for each sector to support easier access and dissemination.

WHO gratefully acknowledges the invaluable contributions of the expert reviewers and partners from across regions and sectors who informed the development of this guidance, and the funding partners who made this work possible.

Link to Guidance: 

WHO Guidance on policy and strategic actions to protect and promote mental health across government sectors (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240114388)