MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT: - libdoc.who.int - World ...

uilding capacity to conduct and interpret research at local levels. Research, when
properly formulated and implemented, can inform the planning and implementation
of development programmes, and the allocation of scarce human and
financial resources. In addition to building and managing knowledge, academic
and research institutions have a key role to play in building the capacity of policymakers,
planners, and service providers from different sectors.
Bilateral agencies and international funding organizations, as key development
partners of governments and civil society, can advocate for a range of mental
health issues: recognition of people with mental health conditions as a vulnerable
group; inclusion of mental health issues into development instruments; integration
of mental health interventions into primary care; mainstreaming of mental
health issues into other sectors such as education and social services; identification
of people with mental health conditions as important recipients of poverty alleviation
interventions; and legal and regulatory reform to protect the human rights
of people with mental health conditions. They also can improve development outcomes
by increasing outreach to and consultation with people with mental health
conditions, supporting the establishment and development of service user groups,
and funding these groups to participate in public affairs and advocacy work. In
addition they have a very important role to play in ensuring that financial resources
in the area of mental health are provided where this has been identified as a gap.
As a result of their diversity, UN and other multilateral organizations can play many
different roles in improving development outcomes. At the global level, they have
an important advocacy function to place mental health higher on the agenda and
ensure that adequate funding is allocated. At the country level, they can encourage
member states to ratify the CRPD, and support them in its implementation.
UN reform at global and national levels requires the integration of work plans and
budgets among agencies (e.g. UN Development Assistance Framework), which
can facilitate the prioritization of this vulnerable group. Multilaterals are also well
placed to advocate for mental health to be included into national and sectoral policies
and plans, and identify where and how coordination among sectors can be
improved through the roles they play with regards to national planning. These
include reinforcing government capacity to prepare, develop and review national
development strategies, plans, budgets and aid negotiations, and participating in
the coordination of sector and other broad mechanisms for country support.
Improving development outcomes for vulnerable groups is an important stated
priority of development programmes. All development stakeholders have the
responsibility to ensure that people with mental health conditions, as a vulnerable
group, are provided with the opportunity to improve their living conditions and
lead fulfiling lives within their communities.
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