1. Global Mental Health and mhGAP Paul Myres, Chair Dolen Cymru
Wales for Africa Health Links Network Conference Oct 2019

2. Why is mental health important?
Mental Health Improves the Quality of Life
Good mental health strengthens and supports our ability to:
have healthy relationships
make good life choices
maintain physical health and well-being
handle the natural ups and downs of life
discover and grow toward our potential

3. Mental Health is linked to physical health
People with physical illnesses have high rates of mental health problems
Depression is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and for death after myocardial infarction

5. Mental Health Treatment Reduces Medical Costs
many research studies have shown that when people receive appropriate mental health care, their use of medical services declines. For example, one study of people with anxiety disorders showed that after psychological treatment, the number of medical visits decreased by 90%, laboratory costs decreased by 50%, and overall treatment costs dropped by 35%.
Other studies have shown that people in Europe and America with untreated mental health problems visit a medical doctor twice as often as people who receive mental health care. m

11. Lesotho and Wales

12. Dr Margaret Chan-Director General WHO
2008- lack of care low-middle income countries, mental, neurological and substance misuse.
14 % global health burden.
Interfere with child and families.
Can be managed by non-specialist health care providers.
Increase the capacity in Primary care.
Integrated management of priority conditions/
protocols for clinical decision, making.

13. What is the WHO doing? WHO response
WHO’s Mental Health Action Plan , endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2013, recognizes the essential role of mental health in achieving health for all people. The plan includes 4 major objectives:
more effective leadership and governance for mental health;
the provision of comprehensive, integrated mental health and social care services in community-based settings;
the implementation of strategies for promotion and prevention; and
strengthened information systems, evidence and research.

14. mhGAP mhGAP is a WHO programme, launched in 2008, to scale-up
care for mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders.
The programme asserts that with proper care, psychosocial assistance and medication, tens of millions of people could be treated for depression, psychoses and epilepsy, prevented from suicide and begin to lead normal lives – even where resources are scarce.
Its focus is to increase non-specialist care, including primary health care, to address the unmet needs of people with priority MNS conditions.
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15. An evidence-based, clinical guide for the assessment and management of mental, neurological and substance use disorders in non-specialized health settings

16. Remember Essential Principles of Care

22. What are the effects of stigma and discrimination?
• Emotional state:
o Affects sense of self-worth.
• Symptoms:
o Contributes to shortened life expectancy.
o Slows recovery.
• Access and quality of treatment:
o Limits access and quality of health care.
• Human rights:
o Can lead to abuse.
• Family:
o Disrupts relationships.

23. What can we do as health providers?
• Change our own perception and attitude towards people with MNS disorders.
• Respect and advocate for the implementation of relevant international conventions, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• Reaffirm that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• Play a large part in fulfilling these rights.