Dr. Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge of WHO South-East Asia, emphasized the urgent need for mental health reform during World Mental Health Day. Over 1 billion people globally live with mental health conditions, predominantly anxiety and depression, with suicide remaining a leading cause of death among young people. In the South-East Asia Region alone, about 208,000 individuals die by suicide each year, while an estimated 289 million contend with mental health, neurological, self-harm, or substance use disorders.
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This year's theme, "Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change," underscores the importance of incorporating the perspectives of individuals with lived experience (PWLE) in shaping mental health care and policies. PWLE not only receive care but also hold valuable insights that can challenge stigma and enhance service responsiveness. Their active participation in mental health systems is crucial for placing individuals' needs at the forefront.
Significant strides have been made within the Region. India has initiated a nationwide tele-mental health program, while Bangladesh and Nepal are progressing on WHO's Special Initiative for Mental Health. Bhutan and Sri Lanka are enhancing community services, and the Maldives is working on suicide prevention measures. Myanmar is strengthening psychosocial support, and Thailand is leading in developing digital mental health tools.
In 2025, a dashboard will be launched by WHO to facilitate evidence-based planning and monitoring of mental health services across conditions. Moreover, a mental health summit in 2024 brought together PWLE and caregivers from eight countries in Nepal to discuss their rights, including access to healthcare, employment, and education. The outcomes were compiled into the Kathmandu Charter for the Rights of People with Lived Experience of Mental Health Conditions, providing a framework for Member States to follow in developing their own national charters.
The Paro Declaration, adopted in 2022, guides the Region's commitment to universal access to people-centered mental health services, aiming to reorient mental health care around primary health systems and build community networks. The new Mental Health Action Plan for 2023–2030 emphasizes the involvement of PWLE in policy and program development while setting targets such as increasing government service coverage for mental health conditions by 50% and reducing the suicide rate by 15% by 2030.
Despite these advancements, gaps persist, with treatment access as low as 10% in some Member States, particularly in urban areas. High out-of-pocket costs and ongoing stigma further complicate access to care. Addressing these issues requires the involvement of PWLE in designing and evaluating mental health policies and services.
WHO remains committed to collaborating with Member States, PWLE, families, and communities to create a mental health support system where every voice is valued and all individuals have access to needed care. This World Mental Health Day calls for a concerted effort to listen, include, and act compassionately for real change.