Doha meet enhances global mental healthcare

The Sixth Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit concluded Wednesday in Doha, following two days of sessions held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani.

The summit witnessed high-level participation from ministers, representatives of states, and international and regional organisations concerned with mental health, in addition to experts and specialists from across the globe.

The Ministerial Summit adopted a number of key priorities aimed at supporting governments in translating commitments into national action plans that deliver tangible improvements in mental health care for their populations.

These priorities align with the summit’s main theme, ‘Transforming Mental Health through Investment, Innovation and Digital Solutions’.

HE the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud stated, “The deliberations of the Ministerial Summit affirmed the shared commitment to improving mental health at national, regional and global levels.

“The outcomes of this Ministerial Summit and the key priorities it identified will help to strengthen investment in mental health, innovation and digital solutions, equity and inclusivity, as well as cooperation and knowledge exchange. This will contribute to addressing major global challenges in mental health and achieving sustainable improvements in mental health services for all.”

The Ministerial Summit featured a rich programme of sessions and events, including two panel discussions and six workshops, in addition to several side activities. Officials, policymakers and specialists discussed pressing mental health issues to develop strategies at a global level. The summit hosted 64 speakers, both local and international.

At the closing session of the Ministerial Summit, it was announced that the Republic of Rwanda will host the next Summit during the coming year.

The Ministerial Summit aims to address mental health as an integral part of public health, social justice and human rights, in line with the UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Mental Health and Human Rights, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.