Doha: The Sixth Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit, which opened Tuesday in Doha, included a plenary session on the theme – From Global Commitment to National Action: Key Messages and Implications of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases’, with the participation of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the organization United for Global Mental Health.
According to Qatar News Agency, speakers at the session affirmed that the recent adoption of the UN Political Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases represents an important step forward, and that mental health is no longer on the margins of public health but has become an integral part of it. They stressed the importance of integrating mental health within universal health coverage, strengthening the workforce and expertise, supporting vulnerable groups, and investing in digital research and innovation to address mental disorders and translate policies into concrete action.
They also spoke about the importance of prevention and early detection, transforming the education system to include mental health awareness, the role of women in developing the sector, and the need for a comprehensive framework for investment in human resources. HE Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr Jaleela bint Sayed Jawad Hasan, affirmed that the Political Declaration constitutes a roadmap capable of transforming the lives of people living with mental disorders through necessary interventions.
Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, called for greater international and domestic investment in mental health, the provision of sustainable financing at affordable cost, and the adoption of new financial strategies such as universal health coverage. She stressed the importance of access to technology, workforce development, access to medicines, and advancing research and innovation to support digital systems and improve the quality of mental health services. She further highlighted that peace, and security must be a priority, particularly in conflict-affected areas such as Gaza and Sudan, in order to provide a stable environment that supports mental health.
The session also featured a technical intervention by Prof. Dr Majid Ali Al Abdullah, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, and Medical Director of Mental Health Services at Hamad Medical Corporation, who reviewed the main scientific approaches underpinning efforts to enhance mental health nationally and internationally. He emphasized the importance of developing health policies and integrating mental health into comprehensive public health programs in order to improve service efficiency and achieve sustainable development in this field.
The Summit continues over two days with broad participation of health ministers, experts, and specialists from around the world. The aim is to identify innovative approaches and interventions to accelerate access to mental health services, increase their capacity and improve their quality, through enhanced dialogue and cooperation among global stakeholders in this vital sector.