International Coordination, Investment Critical To Mental Health Efforts

Nature: Action on mental health needs global cooperation
Pamela Y. Collins, director of the Office for Research on Disparities & Global Mental Health at the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, and Shekhar Saxena, director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at the WHO

“…The need and demand for mental health care is increasing as vulnerable populations expand. … Now, clinicians, patients, caregivers, and researchers need to learn from each other. The knowledge gained in all countries must be evaluated, disseminated, and adapted for local use everywhere. Crucially, everyone involved must start with the same mindset: when it comes to mental health, all countries are developing countries. … To meet the mental health needs of vulnerable people everywhere, we must develop, study and practice the translation of knowledge and ideas in all directions. How? … Determine which innovations will scale up. … Train scientists to translate research findings. … Use the community’s knowledge. … Sustain effective mental health treatments. … Evaluate the outcomes of treatments. … Disseminate successes and failures…” (4/6).

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