Mission

The mission of the Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Cluster (NMH) is to provide leadership and the evidence base for international action on surveillance, prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, mental health disorders, malnutrition, violence and injuries, and disabilities.

Vision

To foster activities in the field of mental health, including those affecting the harmony of human relations. (WHO Constitution)

Objectives

  • enhancement of mental health in the public health agenda;
  • provision of reliable information base;
  • provision of technical guidance;
  • strengthening mental health and substance abuse policies.

Strategic approach

  • a reliable information base on mental health, neurological and substance abuse problems and service systems;
  • evidence-based technical guidance on mental health and substance abuse;
  • strengthening policies and systems for mental, neurological and substance abuse care;
  • strengthening capacity on mental health and substance abuse policies and systems to deliver services that are effective, adequate and respect the human rights of affected individuals, and respond to emerging mental health problems such as emergencies and HIV/AIDS.

Core functions

  • Partnership: with existing and new stakeholders, and bringing together;
  • Managing Information: collect and disseminate essential information on magnitude, burdens, risk factors, available resources and existing services;
  • Guidance: technical guidelines, training materials and tools on policy, programmes, legislation and management;
  • Policy support: work with WHO regional and country offices to assess, support and strengthen country systems.
Summary of relevant work: 

Working jointly with Regional and Country Offices, the Non Communicable Disease and Mental Health Cluster supports Member States in promoting health and in preventing premature death and disability from these conditions by addressing their risk factors and determinants and improving health care and rehabilitation services.

 

Seeking collaboration with: 
Other organizations
Experts by experience/service users
Researchers
Policy makers

People

Innovations and resources

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Step-by-step: e-mental health in Lebanon

An evidence-based WHO self-help psychological intervention that can be delivered through the internet.
Region: 
Middle East
Population: 
Adults
Humanitarian and conflict health
Disorder: 
Depression/anxiety/stress-related disorders
9088 reads
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Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE): a psychological intervention for young adolescents and their caregivers

EASE is a group psychological intervention delivered by non-specialist providers to improve the mental health of adolescents.
Region: 
Africa
Middle East
Asia
Population: 
Children and adolescents
Disorder: 
All disorders
5218 reads
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Problem Management Plus (PM+)

Developing and testing a WHO brief, face-to-face, low-intensity, transdiagnostic psychological intervention.
Region: 
Africa
Asia
Disorder: 
Depression/anxiety/stress-related disorders
10469 reads
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Family Well-being Centers: Delivering Community-based Mental Health Support in Syria

Integrating MHPSS services at the community level in order to enhance service access for populations at risk of severe mental distress and to reduce the linked dual-stigma of mental health conditions and gender-based violence.
Region: 
Middle East
Population: 
Maternal and neonatal health
Children and adolescents
Adults
Families and carers
Humanitarian and conflict health
Disorder: 
All disorders
1805 reads
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QualityRights Lebanon

To pilot an innovative QualityRights intervention in private facilities providing mental health services.
Region: 
Middle East
Population: 
Maternal and neonatal health
Children and adolescents
Adults
Older adults
Families and carers
Disability
Disorder: 
All disorders
797 reads
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Establishing mental health and psychosocial support services during the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Sierra Leone

A nurse-led approach within a non-specialist setting was a successful model for delivering mental health and psychosocial support services during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.
Region: 
Africa
Population: 
Maternal and neonatal health
Children and adolescents
Adults
Older adults
Families and carers
Humanitarian and conflict health
Non-communicable diseases (e.g. cancer, diabetes, stroke)
Disorder: 
All disorders
1758 reads
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Self-Help Plus (SH+): a guided multimedia psychosocial self-help package

A multimedia self-help package delivered by facilitators with minimal training.
Region: 
Africa
Middle East
Europe
Population: 
Adults
Humanitarian and conflict health
Disorder: 
Depression/anxiety/stress-related disorders
Alcohol/drug use disorders
10566 reads
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QualityRights Gujarat

To introduce and scale up an innovative QualityRights intervention in mental health facilities.
Region: 
Asia
Disorder: 
All disorders
2423 reads
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Scaling-up mental health services in Central African Republic

Using WHO mental health Global Action Program - Humanitarian Intervention Guide (mhGAP-HIG) to identify challenges and unique opportunities for providers of health services in humanitarian crises.
Region: 
Africa
Population: 
Humanitarian and conflict health
Disorder: 
Epilepsy/seizures
Psychosis/bipolar disorder
Depression/anxiety/stress-related disorders
Alcohol/drug use disorders
1880 reads
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Integrating Mental Healthcare into General Healthcare in Aceh

Achieving sustainable community mental health services in a poor resource setting.
Region: 
Asia
Population: 
Humanitarian and conflict health
Disorder: 
All disorders
761 reads