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Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment and financial instability, disruption to education, social isolation, intimate partner and family violence, fear of life-threatening disease, and sudden loss of loved ones, have become increasingly common. All of these are risk factors for mental health conditions and behavioural problems such as depression and substance use disorders.
Over the last two decades, the Secretariat has actively supported mental health during emergencies by leading and co-leading inter-agency efforts on mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings. Countries are increasingly showing greater recognition of the importance of this area. For example, during the pandemic, the number of countries with a functioning multi sectoral mental health and psychosocial support coordination platform in humanitarian emergencies has doubled and 90% of Member States responding to a WHO survey in early 2021 reported that mental health and psychosocial support were included in their COVID-19 response plans.
In 2020, a wide range of resources were developed in many languages by WHO in collaboration with partners, including: a stress management guide for the general public; a guide for COVID-19 responders on basic psychosocial skills; and a toolkit to help older adults maintain mental well-being. In addition, WHO has collaborated on the elaboration of the first-ever programme for rapid deployment of experts in mental health and psychosocial support during public health and humanitarian emergencies. Launched in January 2020, more than 20 deployments have been undertaken to date.
During the World Health Assembly, delegates endorsed the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030, including the plan’s updated implementation options and indicators. For the first time, the plan includes an indicator on preparedness for providing mental health and psychosocial support during emergencies.
The Assembly urged Member States to develop and strengthen comprehensive mental health services and psychosocial support as part of universal health coverage, with a particular focus on improving understanding and acceptance of mental health conditions, vulnerable populations, and use of innovative technologies.
Delegates also urged Member States to study the impact of COVID-19 on mental, neurological and substance use conditions and their consequences, and share lessons learned with the Secretariat and other Member States.
The Assembly asked WHO to continue to provide technical support to Member States for the expansion of inclusive, integrated, evidence-based primary and community mental health services and psychosocial support and recommended the strengthening of WHO’s capacity in respect of its mental health work.
