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WHO mhGAP Mental Health Gap Action Programme

Global (90+ countries), Multi-Regional

The WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) launched in 2008 provides evidence-based guidelines enabling non-specialist health workers to deliver mental health care in low-resource settings. The mhGAP Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) covers 8 priority conditions: depression, psychosis, epilepsy, dementia, alcohol/drug use disorders, suicide, and child mental disorders. Used in 90+ countries and translated into 20+ languages. The 2023 third edition includes 48 recommendations. Task-shifting to community health workers addresses the treatment gap where 75% of people in LMICs lack access to care.

Behavior Goal

Enable task-shifting of mental health care to non-specialist providers and increase treatment coverage in low-resource settings

Methods & Approaches

Service Delivery Integration

Implementers & Partners

  • World Health Organization
  • National Ministries of Health
  • NGO Partners

Donors & Sponsors

  • WHO Member States
  • Bilateral Donors
  • Foundations

Key Takeaways

  • 1Task-shifting enables non-specialists to deliver mental health care
  • 28 priority conditions with evidence-based intervention protocols
  • 3Used in 90+ countries, translated into 20+ languages
  • 4mhGAP-HIG adapts guidelines for humanitarian emergencies
  • 5Addresses 75% treatment gap in low/middle-income countries

Sources

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