“Mental illness and drug abuse can wreak havoc in global societies and economies, and the U.N. General Assembly should devote a special session to the matter, global health experts said” in a PLoS Medicine article published on Tuesday, Agence France-Presse reports (1/17). “Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders (MNS) … are leading contributors to the global burden of disease and profoundly impact the social and economic well-being of individuals and communities,” a PLoS press release states, adding, “Yet the majority of people affected by MNS disorders globally do not have access to evidence-based interventions and many experience discrimination and abuses of their human rights” (1/17).

According to AFP, the authors argue that investment is needed in three key areas: “expanding knowledge about mental health disorders, better access to evidence-based programs of care and treatment, and protection of human rights” (1/17). “The authors also encourage support for the development of a ‘People’s Charter for Mental Health’ that intends to identify priority needs into practical actionable steps for country implementation,” the press release adds (1/17).