Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use

Our work involves mental health promotion and the prevention of mental, neurological and substance use disorders. We support the expansion of access to affordable, quality care for everyone who needs it.

About us

Highlights

Children in Al Hol camp, north-east Syria.

World mental health report: Transforming mental health for all

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Our work

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Promoting rights-based policy & law for mental health

Ensuring a coordinated and effective mental health response in emergencies

Scaling up care for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders: mhGAP

Improving the mental and brain health of children and adolescents

News

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4 February 2026

Departmental update

WHO calls for mental health to be central to neglected tropical disease care

30 January 2026

News release

Communities unite to address stigma and discrimination affecting people with neglected tropical diseases

16 December 2025

News release

World leaders adopt a historic global declaration on noncommunicable diseases and mental health

16 December 2025

Departmental update

WHO’s new guidance on maintaining opioid agonist maintenance treatment as an essential health service

Feature stories

10 December 2025

Community mental health services transform patients’ access to care in Barbados

5 December 2025

Helping countries build resilient mental health systems before and during emergencies

24 November 2025

Ukraine’s resilience during war time to strengthen primary health care

23 October 2025

Cross-country learning to strengthen systems for children and young people’s mental health.

Key publications

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Publications

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Foundational helping skills training manual: a competency-based approach for training helpers to support adults

The Foundational helping skills training manual is a resource from the joint WHO/UNICEF initiative on Ensuring Quality in Psychosocial and Mental Health...

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Educating medical and nursing students to provide mental health, neurological and substance use care: A practical guide for pre-service education

Pre-service education sets the foundation for preparing health professionals to provide services within health systems. Educating medical and nursing students...

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WHO advocacy strategy for mental health, brain health and substance use

Mental health, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions represent a major global health and development challenge. This document sets out WHO’s...

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Integrated operational framework for mental health, brain health and substance use

This integrated operational framework provides an overview of the connections between mental health, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions, and...

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Videos