Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 09 16 Civil society movements for mental health in low-income and middle-income countries are not well developed.Organiza- tions of people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities are present in only 49%of low-income countries compared with 83%of high-income countries;for family associations the respective figures are 39%and 80%. 17 Finally,the availability of basic medicines for mental disorders in primary health care is notably low (in comparison to medi- cines available for infectious diseases and even other noncommunicable diseases).and their use restricted because of the lack of qualified health workers with the appropriate authority to prescribe medications.In addition,the availability of non- pharmacological approaches and trained personnel to deliver these interventions is also lacking.Such factors act as important barriers to appropriate care for many persons with mental disorders. 18 To improve the situation,and in addition to the data on mental health resources in countries (from WHO's Mental Health Atlas 2011,as well as the more detailed profiling obtained through use of WHO's assessment instrument for mental health systems).5 information is available on cost-effective and feasible mental health interventions that can be expanded to a larger scale to strengthen mental health care systems in countries.WHO's Mental Health Gap Action Programme,launched in 2008, uses evidence-based technical guidance.tools and training packages to expand service provision in countries,especially in resource-poor settings.It focuses on a prioritized set of conditions and,importantly,directs its capacity building towards non- specialized health care providers in an integrated approach that promotes mental health at all levels of care. 19 The Secretariat has elaborated other technical tools and guidance in support of countries in developing comprehensive mental health policies,plans and laws that promote improved quality and availability of mental health care (such as the WHO mental health policy and service guidance package);in improving quality and respecting the rights of persons with mental disorders in health services (the WHO QualityRights toolkit):"and for disaster relief and post-disaster mental health system reconstruction (including the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Guidelines in mental health and psychosocial support in emer- gency settings).Knowledge,information and technical tools are necessary but not sufficient;strong leadership,enhanced partnerships and the commitment of resources towards implementation are also required in order to move decisively from evidence to action and evaluation. STRUCTURE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ACTION PLAN 2013-2020 20 The vision of the action plan is a world in which mental health is valued,promoted and protected,mental disorders are prevented and persons affected by these disorders are able to exercise the full range of human rights and to access high quality. culturally-appropriate health and social care in a timely way to promote recovery,in order to attain the highest possible level of health and participate fully in society and at work,free from stigmatization and discrimination. 21 Its overall goal is to promote mental well-being.prevent mental disorders,provide care,enhance recovery.promote human rights and reduce the mortality,morbidity and disability for persons with mental disorders. WHO-AIMS version 22 World Health Organuzption ossessment instrument for mental heallh systems,Genevo World Health Orgonuzation,200 (document WHO/MSD/MER/052 hllpwrw ntn/menlal hie cbpolicwFsseriaipochnnerennneenom iaccessed 24 May 2013) WHO QualryRights tool kit ossessing and improving quolty and human nghtsn mental health and sre foces Genevo.World Heatth Orgonzaon 2012 Inter-Agency Standing Committee IASC guidelines on mental heaith and psychosocal suppont in emergency settngs Gepeva.inter-Agency Standing Commttee 2007Mental Health Action Plan 2013 - 2020 16 Civil society movements for mental health in low-income and middle-income countries are not well developed. Organiza￾tions of people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities are present in only 49% of low-income countries compared with 83% of high-income countries; for family associations the respective figures are 39% and 80%, 17 Finally, the availability of basic medicines for mental disorders in primary health care is notably low (in comparison to medi￾cines available for infectious diseases and even other noncommunicable diseasesJ. and their use restricted because of the lack of qualified health workers with the appropriate authority to prescribe medications. In addition, the availability of non￾pharmacological approaches and trained personnel to deliver these interventions is also lacking. Such factors act as important barriers to appropriate care for many persons with mental disorders. 18 To improve the situation, and in addition to the data on mental health resources in countries [from WHO's Mental Health Atlas 2011, as well as the more detailed profiling obtained through use of WHO's assessment instrument for mental health systemsl. ~ information is available on cost-effective and feasible mental health interventions that can be expanded to a larger scale to strengthen mental health care systems in countries. WHO's Menial Health Gap Action Programme, launched in 2008, uses evidence- based technical guidance, tools and training packages to expand service provision in countries, especially in resource-poor settings. It focuses on a prioritized set of conditions and, importantly, directs its capacity building towards non￾specialized health care providers in an integrated approach that promotes mental health at all levels of care. 19 The Secretariat has elaborated other technical tools and guidance in support of countries in developing comprehensive mental health policies, plans and laws that promote improved quality and availability of mental health care [such as the WHO mental health policy and service guidance package);6 in improving quality and respecting the rights of persons with mental disorders in health services [the WHO QualityRights toolki!);? and for disaster relief and post-disaster mental health system reconstruction (including the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Guidelines in mental health and psychosocial support in emer￾gency settingsJ.B Knowledge, information and technical tools are necessary but not sufficient; strong leadership, enhanced partnerships and the commitment of resources towards implementation are also required in order to move decisively from evidence to action and evaluation. STRUCTURE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ACTION PLAN 2013-2020 20 The vision of the action plan is a wortd in which mental health is valued, promoted and protected, mental disorders are prevented and persons affected by these disorders are able to exercise the full range of human rights and to access high quality, culturally-appropriate health and social care in a timely way to promote recovery, in order to attain the highest possible level of health and participate fully in society and at work, free from stigmatization and discrimination. 21 Its overall goal is to promote mental well-being, prevent mental disorders, provide care, enhance recovery, promote human rights and reduce the mortality, morbidity and disability for persons with mental disorders. , WHO-AIMS versIon 22· Wond Health Drgantzol(on assessment (nstrument tor menial health syslems, Geneva. Wand HeaUh OrQantza((on. 2005 (documenl WHOIMSDIMERJU5 21 • http Iwww who mllmenlal_heallh/pol!Cy/es~'!nliOlpockagel!en/mdex hlml (accessed 24 May 2013} , WHO QuollryRlQhls 1001 kit ossessUlQ ond ImprovUlg quality ond humon nghts UI mentol heolth ond SOCial core {oolltles Genevo, Wand Health DrgantzollOfl, 2012. ' Inter-Agency Siandmg Commlllee IASC gUldelllles on mental heolth ond psychosoclol support m emergency settings Genevo. Inter-Agency Standing Committee, 2007 09