Abstract

 

Towards qualitative, sustainable mental health care: how to catalyse system level transformation and engage stakeholders in national and local ecosystems

In the realm of mental health, a collective endeavour unites us—a commitment to empower people living with mental health challenges to recover and reclaim their lives, dignity, and overall well-being.

This talk will focus on unravelling the 'how'—how we can achieve this on a scale (national, local), what are the strategies that underpin sustainable enhancements in mental health system performance and quality. Drawing from my experiences across diverse countries within EMEIA, ranging from Moldova and Greece to India and Tanzania, I will reflect on the intricacies of securing adoption and integration of evidence-based interventions and scientific innovations within the complexities of real-world clinical settings. While these issues are notably relevant in low- and middle-income countries, research in high income settings (e.g. the evaluation conducted together with UM of the G21 Lille Métropole mental health service) underscores the potential for valuable lessons to be learned from greatly under-resourced mental health services.

A central theme woven throughout the conversation on mental health system transformation are the challenges surrounding the efficient utilisation of diverse resources within national and local ecosystems. Recognising the rich pool of both national and international stakeholders, I will explore strategies to harness this diversity, maximising collective efforts toward a more inclusive, sustainable, and effective mental health landscape.