7 days ago
WHO unveils Cairo-based regional coalition for mental health - Health - Life & Style
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean joined mental health partners and stakeholders on 17 July in Cairo to launch the Regional Coalition for Mental Health Promotion and Substance Use Prevention.
According to a press release by the WHO office in Cairo, the coalition, the first of its kind in the region, will serve as a collaborative platform to align strategies, amplify impact, and integrate mental health and substance use efforts into broader public health agendas.
The aim is to transition from stigma to empowerment, from punishment to prevention, and from fragmented efforts to coordinated action.
Mental health and substance use disorders remain significant health challenges across the region.
An estimated one in six people in the Eastern Mediterranean lives with a mental health condition, while 6.7 percent of adults face substance use issues — above the global average.
Treatment gaps remain high, with some countries reporting up to 90 percent of people in need not receiving care, mainly due to stigma and limited access.
'No single sector or agency can tackle this alone,' said WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy.
'Today's launch marks a decisive shift from institutional neglect to community-based care, and from policy made for people to policy shaped with people,' she expressed.
The coalition will prioritize the leadership and inclusion of people with lived experience in all areas — from prevention and rehabilitation to policy reform and advocacy.
It will support the implementation of the Regional Action Plan for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies (2024–2030) and the Regional Flagship Initiative on substance use, both endorsed by WHO member states in 2024.
Currently comprising more than 50 organizations and experts, the coalition is hosted on an interactive platform in collaboration with the Global Mental Health Action Network and led by United for Global Mental Health.
The WHO and its partners will co-develop a comprehensive work plan to support mental health and substance use prevention efforts, including service delivery, stigma reduction, capacity building, and integration into primary care and emergency response systems.
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