Resource Mobilization
This component considers approaches useful in securing and optimizing resources for sustainable mental health programming. It provides development briefs and articles that advocate for increased mental health funding globally.
The World Mental Health Day theme for 2020, Move for Mental Health: Let’s Invest, is timelier than ever. Mental health concerns are growing and expected to substantially increase moving forward. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health services have been disrupted or halted in 93% of countries worldwide. As the treatment gap grows, significant investment is needed to increase access to care for the most vulnerable. Despite this, mental health has not been at the forefront of global health funding. Less than 1% of national health budgets in low- and middle-income countries are spent on mental health, and only 0.4% of health development assistance is spent on it, even though for every $1 invested in mental health there is a $5 return on investment in improved health and productivity according to the World Health Organization.
The Return on the Individual: Time to Invest in Mental Health
The Return on the Individual report makes the wider social and business case for investing in mental health and for putting people at the heart of investment. It shows that when we invest in mental health, there is a ripple effect of returns across our families, communities, businesses, economies, and societies. This report provides compelling advocacy, data, and personal narratives that can be used for resource mobilization efforts. It is a Speak Your Mind/United for Global Mental Health sponsored document.
Integrating Mental Health into the Global Fund Strategy
This document aims to provide the Global Fund with suggested text for their post-2022 strategy, with example text for each section of the document showing how mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) can be fully integrated into the strategy, and into the Global Fund’s work, grants, and approach. It shows how the Global Fund can instill a holistic approach to mental health, instead of viewing mental health as a sub-sector of the health system. It highlights how critical MHPSS is to achieve global HIV and TB targets and how mental health can be integrated into funding for HIV and TB. This is a United for Global Mental Health produced document.
Transcending COVID-19 Through Investment in Mental Health
Dr. Giuseppe (Bepi) Raviola, Co-director of Mental Health at PIH, shares how PIH has invested in and incorporated mental health into COVID-19 care around the world, and reflects on the importance of self-care during moments of stress and crisis. The article highlights why investment in mental health is more crucial now than ever.
Time to Invest in Mental Health
Time to Invest in Mental Health: Why Investing in Mental Health Pays Dividends, a Case for Individuals, Society, and Funders was written by PIH and colleagues in the GMH@Harvard initiative. It emphasizes why the time to invest is now and offers an introduction to two types of funding mechanisms.
