Rethinking mental health care: harnessing new approaches

Diagnoses of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety have risen in recent years. Destigmatisation in mainstream society, combined with updated methods for diagnosis have contributed to this increase. Meanwhile, treatments have improved. Among the new approaches responsible for this are personalisation in mental health treatment, rethinking the approach to diagnosis and a focus on precision in psychiatry, which considers the unique biological attributes of a patient and their disease. 

But increased diagnoses and more demand for support puts greater pressure on health-care services, reducing resources across already-stretched systems. The needs of many people around the world remain unmet.

National and regional policies have fallen short, and promised financing for mental health plans are often not delivered. Provisions in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the World Health Organisation’s mental health action plan and commitments from the OECD, APEC and European Union suggest the necessary focus and strategic direction to bridge this gap. But how can stakeholders translate intent into action?

The promising new approaches to treatment could lead to more sustainable and equitable outcomes. So how can health-care systems overcome challenges of inadequate investment and resources?

Join Economist Impact for a panel discussion, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, to hear experts discuss critical gaps in the implementation of global models for transforming mental health care and how to improve patient experience and outcomes.

Discussion points include:

• How can effective leadership and governance enable effective new approaches to care and treatment in mental health and psychiatry?
• In what ways can new treatment help address failings in care, especially for those with severe mental illness?
• Are such approaches appropriate for all healthcare systems? How can systemic challenges, such as funding models or disparities in access, be addressed?
• How can we translate words and policy into action and evidence-based transformation across whole health systems?