12 Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 31 Responses will be stronger and more effective when mental health interventions are firmly integrated within the national health policy and plan.In addition,often it is necessary to develop a dedicated mental health policy and plan in order to provide more detailed direction. 32 Mental health law,whether an independent legislative document or integrated into other health and capacity-related laws. should codify the key principles,values and objectives of policy for mental health,for example by establishing legal and oversight mechanisms to promote human rights and the development of accessible health and social services in the commu- nity. 33 Policies.plans and laws for mental health should comply with obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international and regional human rights conventions. 34 The inclusion and mainstreaming of mental health issues more explicitly within other priority health programmes and partnerships (for instance.HIV/AIDS,women's and children's health,noncommunicable diseases and the global health work- force alliance),as well as within other relevant sectors'policies and laws,for example.those dealing with education,employ- ment,disability,the judicial system,human rights protection,social protection,poverty reduction and development,are impor- tant means of meeting the multidimensional requirements of mental health systems and should remain central to leadership efforts of governments to improve treatment services,prevent mental disorders and promote mental health. Global target 1.1:80%of countries will have developed or updoted their policies/plans for mental health in line with interno- tional and regionol humon rights instruments (by the year 2020). Global target 1.2:50%of countries will have developed or updated their laws for mental health in line with internationol and regionat human rights instruments (by the year 2020). Proposed actions for Member States 35 Policy and law:Develop,strengthen,keep up to date and implement national policies,strategies,programmes,laws and regulations relating to mental health within all relevant sectors,including codes of practice and mechanisms to monitor protec- tion of human rights and implementation of legislation,in line with evidence,best practice,the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international and regional human rights instruments. 36 Resource planning:Plan according to measured need and allocate a budget across all relevant sectors that is commensu- rate with identified human and other resources required to implement agreed-upon evidence-based mental health plans and actions. 37 Stakeholder collaboration:Motivate and engage stakeholders from all relevant sectors.including persons with mental disorders,carers and family members,in the development and implementation of policies,laws and services relating to mental health,through a formalized structure and/or mechanism. 38 Strengthening and empowerment of people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities and their organizations: Ensure that people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities are given a formal role and authority to influence the process of designing,planning and implementing policies,laws and services
12 Mental Health Action PLan )(11, 7~;', 31 Responses will be stronger and more effective when mental health interventions are firmly integrated within the national health policy and ptan. In addition, often it is necessary to develop a dedicated menial health policy and plan in order to provide more detailed direction. 32 Mental health taw, whether an independent legislative document or integrated into other health and capacity-related laws, shouLd codify the key principles, vaLues and objectives of policy for menial heaLth, for example by establishing Legal and oversight mechanisms to promote human rights and the development of accessible health and social services in the community. 33 PoLicies, plans and laws for menIal health should comply with obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international and regional human rights conventions. 34 The inclusion and mainstreaming of mental health issues more explicitly within other priority health programmes and partnerships [for instance, HIVIAIDS, women's and children's health, noncommunicable diseases and the global health workforce alliance]. as well as within other relevant sectors' policies and laws, for example, those dealing with education, employment, disability, the judicial system, human rights protection, social protection, poverty reduction and development, are important means of meeting the multidimensional requirements of mental health systems and should remain central to leadership efforts of governments to improve treatment services, prevent menial disorders and promote mentaL heaLth. Global target 1.1: 80% of countries will have developed or updated their policies/plans for mental health in line with international and regional human rights instruments (by the year 2020). Global target 1.2: 50% of countries will hove developed or updated their laws for mental health in line with international and regional human rights instruments (by the year 2020). Proposed actions for Member States 35 Policy and law: Develop, strengthen, keep up to date and implement national policies, strategies, programmes, laws and reguLations reLating to mental heaLth within aLI relevant sectors, including codes of practice and mechanisms to monitor protection of human rights and implementation of legislation, in line with evidence, best practice, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international and regional human rights instruments. 36 Resource planning: Plan according to measured need and allocate a budget across all relevant sectors that is commensurate with identified human and other resources required to implement agreed-upon evidence-based mental health plans and actions. 37 Stakeholder collaboration: Motivate and engage stakeholders from all relevant sectors, including persons with mental disorders, carers and family members, in the development and implementation of policies, laws and services relating to mental health, through a formalized structure and/or mechanism. 38 Strengthening and empowerment of people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities and their organizations: Ensure that people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities are given a formal role and authority to influence the process of designing, planning and implementing policies, laws and services
Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 13 Actions for the Secretariat 39 Policy and low:Compile knowledge and best practices for-and build capacity in-the development,multisectoral imple- mentation and evaluation of policies,plans and laws relevant to mental health,including codes of practice and mechanisms to monitor protection of human rights and implementation of legislation,in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international and regional human rights instruments. 40 Resource planning:Offer technical support to countries in multisectoral resource planning.budgeting and expenditure tracking for mental health. 41 Stokeholder collaboration:Provide best practices and tools to strengthen collaboration and interaction at international, regional and national levels between the stakeholders in the development,implementation and evaluation of policy.strategies, programmes and laws for mental health,including the health,judicial and social sectors,civil society groups,persons with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities,carers and family members,and organizations in the United Nations system and human rights agencies. 42 Strengthening and empowerment of people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities and their organizations: Engage organizations of people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities in policy making at international,regional and national levels within WHO's own structures and provide support to organizations to design technical tools for capacity building,based on international and regional human rights instruments and WHO's own human rights and mental health tools. Proposed actions for international and national partners 63 Mainstream mental health interventions into health,poverty reduction,development policies,strategies and interventions. 44 Include people with mental disorders as a vulnerable and marginalized group requiring prioritized attention and engage- ment within development and poverty-reduction strategies,for example,in education,employment and livelihood programmes,and the human rights agenda. 45 Explicitly include mental health within general and priority health policies,plans and research agenda,including noncom- municable diseases,HIV/AIDS,women's health,child and adolescent health,as well as through horizontal programmes and partnerships,such as the Global Health Workforce Alliance,and other international and regional partnerships. 46 Support opportunities for exchange between countries on effective policy.legislative and intervention strategies for promot- ing mental health,preventing mental disorders and promoting recovery from disorders based on the internationaland regional human rights framework. 47 Support the creation and strengthening of associations and organizations of people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities as well as families and carers,and their integration into existing disability organizations,and facilitate dialogue between these groups,health workers and government authorities in health,human rights,disability.education,employment, the judiciary and social sectors
Mental Health Action Plan 2(]1 -; )()7(] Actions for the Secretariat 39 Policy and law, Compile knowledge and best practices for - and build capacity in -the development, mullisectoral implementation and evaluation of policies, plans and laws relevant to mental health, including codes of practice and mechanisms to monitor protection of human rights and implem entation of legislation, in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and olher international and regional human rights instruments. 40 Resource planning: Offer technical support to countries in multisectoral resource planning, budgeting and expenditure tracking for mental health. 41 Stakeholder collaboration, Provide best practices and tools to strengthen collaboration and interaction at international. regional and national levels between the stakeholders in the development, implementation and evaluation of policy, strategies, programmes and laws lor mental health, including the health, judicial and social sectors, civil society groups, persons with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities, carers and family members, and organizations in the United Nations system and human rights agencies. 42 Strengthening and empowerment of people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities and their organizations: 13 Engage organizations of people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities in policy making at international, regional and national levels within WHO's own structures and provide support to organizations to design technical tools for capacity building, based on international and regional human rights instruments and WHO's own human rights and mental health tools. Proposed actions for international and national partners 43 Mainstream mental health interventions into health, poverty reduction, development policies, strategies and interventions. 44 Include people with mental disorders as a vulnerable and marginalized group requiring prioritized attention and engagement within development and poverty-reduction strategies, for example, in education, employment and livelihood programmes, and the human rights agenda. 45 Explicitly include m ental health within general and priority health policies, plans and research agenda, including noncommunicable diseases, HIV/AIDS, women's heallh, child and adolescent health, as well as through horizontal program mes and pa rtnerships, such as the Global Health Workforce Alliance, and other international and regional partnerships. 46 Support opportunities for exchange between countries on effective policy, legislative and intervention strategies for promoting mental health, preventing mental disorders and prom oting recovery from disorders based on the international and reg ional human rights framework. 47 Support the creation and strengthening of associations and organizations of people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities as well as families and carers, and their integration into existing disability organizations, and facilitate dialogue between these groups, health workers and government authorities in health, human rights, disability, education, employment, the judiciary and social sectors
Mental Health Action Plan 213-2020 Objective 2:To provide comprehensive,integrated and responsive mental health and social care services in community-based settings 48 In the context of improving access to care and service quality,WHO recommends the development of comprehensive community-based mental health and social care services:the integration of mental health care and treatment into general hospitals and primary care:continuity of care between different providers and levels of the health system;effective collabora- tion between formal and informal care providers;and the promotion of self-care,for instance,through the use of electronic and mobile health technologies. 49Developing mental health services of good quality requires the use of evidence-based protocols and practices,including early intervention,incorporation of human rights principles,respect for individual autonomy and the protection of people's dignity.Furthermore,health workers must not limit intervention to improving mental health but also attend to the physical health care needs of children,adolescents and adults with mental disorders,and vice versa,because of the high rates of co morbid physical and mental health problems and associated risk factors,for example,high rates of tobacco consumption,that go unaddressed. 50 Community-based service delivery for mental health needs to encompass a recovery-based approach that puts the empha- sis on supporting individuals with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities to achieve their own aspirations and goals. The core service requirements include:listening and responding to individuals'understanding of their condition and what helps them to recover:working with people as equal partners in their care:offering choice of treatment and therapies,and in terms of who provides care:and the use of peer workers and supports,who provide each other with encouragement and a sense of belonging,in addition to their expertise.In addition,a multisectoral approach is required whereby services support individuals. at different stages of the life course and,as appropriate,facilitate their access to human rights such as employment (including return-to-work programmes),housing and educational opportunities,and participation in community activities,programmes and meaningful activities. 51 More active involvement and support of service users in the reorganization,delivery and evaluation and monitoring of services is required so that care and treatment become more responsive to their needs.Greater collaboration with"informal" mental health care providers,including families,as well as religious leaders,faith healers,traditional healers,school teachers, police officers and local nongovernmental organizations,is also needed 52 Another essential requirement is for services to be responsive to the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups in society.including socioeconomically disadvantaged famities.people living with HIV/AIDS.women and children living with domestic violence,survivors of violence.lesbian,gay,bisexual and transgendered people,indigenous peoples,immigrants. asylum seekers,persons deprived of liberty,and minority groups among others within the national context. 53 When planning for humanitarian emergency response and recovery,it is crucial to ensure that mental health services and community psychosocial supports are widely available. 54 Exposure to adverse life events or extreme stressors,such as natural disasters,isolated,repeated or continuing conflict and civil unrest or ongoing family and domestic violence,may have serious health and mental health consequences that require careful examination,particularly with regard to issues of diagnostic characterization (especially avoiding over-diagnosis and over-medicalization]and approaches to support,care and rehabilitation. 55 Having the right number and equitable distribution of competent,sensitive and appropriately skilled health professionals
14 Mental Health Action PLan )(11 ~ 7J' Objective 2, To provide comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health and social care services in community-based settings 48 In the context of improving access to care and service quality, WHO recommends the development of comprehensive community-based mental heaLth and sociaL care services: the integration of mental health care and treatment into general hospitals and primary care: continuity of care between different providers and levels of the health system: effective collaboration between formaL and informal care providers: and the promotion of self-care, for instance, through the use of electronic and mobile health technologies. 49 Developing mental health services of good quality requires the use of evidence-based protocols and practices, including early intervention, incorporation of human rights principtes, respect for individuaL autonomy and the protection of people's dignity. Furthermore, health workers must not limit intervention to improving mental health but aLso attend to the physical heaLth care needs of chiLdren, adoLescents and adults with mentaL disorders, and vice versa, because of the high rates of co morbid physical and mental health problems and associated risk factors, for example, high rates of tobacco consumption, that go unaddressed. 50 Community-based service delivery for mentaL health needs to encompass a recovery-based approach that puts the emphasis on supporting individuals with mentaL disorders and psychosocial disabilities to achieve their own aspirations and goals. The core service requirements include: listening and responding to individuals' understanding of their condition and what helps them to recover; working with people as equal partners in their care; offering choice of treatment and therapies, and in terms of who provides care; and the use of peer workers and supports, who provide each other with encouragement and a sense of beLonging, in addition to their expertise. In addition, a multisectoral approach is required whereby services support individuals, at different stages of the life course and, as appropriate, facilitate their access to human rights such as employment (including return-to-work programmes], housing and educational opportunities, and participation in community activities, programmes and meaningful activities. 51 More active involvement and support of service users in the reorganization, delivery and evaLuation and monitoring of services is required so that care and treatment become more responsive to their needs. Greater collaboration with "informal" mental health care providers, including families, as welt as religious leaders, faith heaters, traditional healers, schooL teachers, police officers and local nongovernmental organizations, is also needed. 52 Another essential requirement is for services to be responsive to the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups in society, including socioeconomically disadvantaged families, peopLe living with HIV/AIDS, women and chiLdren living with domestic violence, survivors of violence, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, indigenous peoples, immigrants, asylum seekers, persons deprived of liberty, and minority groups among others within the national context. 53 When pLanning for humanitarian emergency response and recovery, it is crucial to ensure that mentaL health services and community psychosocial supports are widely available. 54 Exposure to adverse life events or extreme stressors, such as natural disasters, isolated, repeated or continuing conflict and civil unrest or ongoing family and domestic violence, may have serious health and mental health consequences that require careful examination, particularly with regard to issues of diagnostic characterization (especially avoiding over-diagnosis and over-medicalizationl and approaches to support, care and rehabilitation . 55 Having the right number and equitabLe distribution of competent, sensitive and appropriately skilled health professionals
Mental Health Action Plan 201:220 15 and workers is central to the expansion of services for mental health and the achievement of better outcomes.Integrating mental health into general health,disease-specific and social care services and programmes (such as those on women's health and HIV/AIDS)provides an important opportunity to manage mental health problems better,promote mental health and prevent mental disorders.For example,health workers trained in mental health should be equipped not only to manage mental disorders in the persons they see,but also to provide general wellness information and screening for related health conditions,including noncommunicable diseases and substance use.Not only does service integration require the acquisition of new knowledge and skills to identify,manage and refer people with mental disorders as appropriate,but also the re-definition of health workers'roles and changes to the existing service culture and attitudes of general health workers,social workers,occupational therapists and other professional groups.Furthermore,in this context,the role of specialized mental health professionals needs to be expanded to encompass supervision and support of general health workers in providing mental health interventions. Global target 2:Service coverage for severe mental disorders will have increosed by 20%(by the year 2020). Proposed actions for Member States 56 Service reorganization and expanded coverage:Systematically shift the locus of care away from long-stay mental hospitals towards non-specialized health settings with increasing coverage of evidence-based interventions (including the use of stepped care principles,as appropriate)for priority conditions and using a network of linked community-based mental health services,including short-stay inpatient care,and outpatient care in general hospitals,primary care,comprehensive mental health centres,day care centres,support of people with mental disorders living with their families,and supported housing. 57 Integrated and responsive core:Integrate and coordinate holistic prevention,promotion.rehabilitation,care and support that aims at meeting both mental and physical health care needs and facilitates the recovery of persons of all ages with mental disorders within and across general health and social services (including the promotion of the right to employment,housing. and education]through service user-driven treatment and recovery plans and,where appropriate,with the inputs of families and carers. 58 Mental health in humanitarian emergencies (including isolated,repeated or continuing conflict,violence and disasters): Work with national emergency committees and mental health providers in order to include mental health and psychosocial support needs in emergency preparedness and enable access to safe and supportive services,including services that address psychological trauma and promote recovery and resilience,for persons with mental disorders (pre existing as well as emergency-induced)or psychosocial problems,including services for health and humanitarian workers,during and following emergencies,with due attention to the longer-term funding required to build or rebuild a community-based mental health system after the emergency. 59 Human resource development:Build the knowledge and skills of general and specialized health workers to deliver evidence-based,culturally appropriate and human rights-oriented mental health and social care services,for children and adolescents,inter alia,by introducing mental health into undergraduate and graduate curricula:and through training and mentoring health workers in the field,particularly in non-specialized settings,in order to identify people with mental disorders and offer appropriate treatment and support as well as to refer people,as appropriate,to other levels of care. 60 Address disparities:Proactively identify and provide appropriate support for groups at particular risk of mental illness who have poor access to services
Mentat Health Action Ptan 2(]1 -; Ll12U and workers is central to the expansion of services for mental heallh and the achievement of better outcomes. Integrating mental health into general health, disease-specific and social care services and programmes [such as those on women's health and HIV/AIDS) provides an important opportunity to manage mental health problems better, promote mental heallh and prevent mentaL disorders. For example, health workers trained in mentaL health shouLd be equipped not only to manage mental disorders in the persons they see, but also to provide general wellness information and screening for related heallh conditions, including noncom municabLe diseases and substance use. Nol only does service integration require the acquisilion of new knowledge and skills to identify, manage and refer people with mental disorders as appropriate, but also the re-definition of heallh workers' roles and changes to the existing service cullure and attitudes of general heallh workers, social workers, occupational therapists and other professional groups. Furthermore, in this context, the role of specialized mental health professionaLs needs to be expanded to encompass supervision and support of general heallh workers in providing mental health interventions. Global target 2: Service coverage for severe mental disorders will have increased by 20% (by the year 2020). Proposed actions for Member States 56 Service reorganization and expanded coverage: Systematically shift the locus of care away from long-stay mentaL hospitals towards non-speciaLized health settings with increasing coverage of evidence-based interventions [including the use of stepped care principLes, as appropriate) for priority conditions and using a network 01 linked community-based mental health services, including short-stay inpatient care, and outpatient care in generaL hospitaLs, primary care, comprehensive mentaL health centres, day care centres, support of people with mental disorders living with their families, and supported housing. 57 Integrated and responsive care: Integrate and coordinate holistic prevention, promotion, rehabilitation, care and support that aims at meeting both mentaL and physical health care needs and facilitates the recovery of persons of all ages with mentaL disorders within and across general health and social services (including the promotion of the right to employment, housing, and education) through service user-driven treatment and recovery plans and, where appropriate, with the inputs of families and carers. 58 Mental health in humanitarian emergencies (including isolated. repeated or continuing conflict, violence and disasters), Work with nationaL emergency committees and mental health providers in order to include mental health and psychosociaL support needs in emergency preparedness and enable access to safe and supportive services, including services that address psychological trauma and promote recovery and resilience, for persons with mental disorders (pre existing as well as emergency-induced) or psychosocial problems, including services for heallh and humanitarian workers, during and following emergencies, wilh due attention 10 the longer-term funding required to build or rebuiLd a community-based mental health system after the emergency. 59 Human resource development: Build the knowledge and skills of general and specialized health workers to deliver evidence-based, culturally appropriate and human rights-oriented mental health and social care services, for chiLdren and adolescents, inter alia, by introducing mental health into undergraduate and graduate curricula; and through training and mentoring health workers in the fieLd, particuLarLy in non-specialized settings, in order to identify peopLe with mental disorders and offer appropriate treatment and support as well as to refer people, as appropriate, to other levels of care. 60 Address disparities: Proactively identify and provide appropriate support for groups at particular risk of mental illness who have poor access to services. 15
Mental Heatth Action Plan 2013-2020 Actions for the Secretariat 61 Service reorganization and expanded coverage:Provide guidance and evidence-based practices for deinstitutionalization and service reorganization,and provide technical support for expanding treatment and support,prevention and mental health promotion through recovery-oriented community-based mental health and social support services. 62 Infegrated and responsive care:Collate and disseminate evidence and best practices for the integration and multisectoral coordination of holistic care,emphasizing recovery and support needs for persons with mental disorders,including alterna- tives to coercive practices and strategies to engage service users,families and carers in service planning and treatment decisions,and provide examples of financing mechanisms to facilitate multisectoral collaboration. 63 Mental health in humanitarian emergencies (including isolated,repeated or continuing conflict,violence,and disasters): Provide technical advice and guidance for policy and field activities related to mental health undertaken by governmental, nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations.including the building or rebuilding after an emergency of a community-based mental health system that is sensitive to trauma-related issues. 64 Human resource development:Support countries in the formulation of a human resource strategy for mental health,includ- ing the identification of gaps,specification of needs,training requirements and core competencies for health workers in the field,as well as for undergraduate and graduate educational curricula. 65 Address disparities:Collect and disseminate evidence and best practices for reducing mental health and social service gaps for marginalized groups. Proposed actions for international and national partners 66 Use funds received for direct service delivery to provide community-based mental health care rather than institutional care. 67 Assist the training of health workers in skills to identify mental disorders and provide evidence-based and culturally- appropriate interventions to promote the recovery of people with mental disorders. 68 Support coordinated efforts to implement mental health programmes during and after humanitarian emergency situations, including the training and capacity building of health and social service workers. Objective 3:To implement strategies for promotion and prevention in mental health 69 In the context of national efforts to develop and implement health policies and programmes,it is vital to meet not only the needs of persons with defined mental disorders,but also to protect and promote the mental well-being of all citizens.Mental health evolves throughout the life-cycle.Therefore,governments have an important role in using information on risk and protective factors for mental health to put in place actions to prevent mental disorders and to protect and promote mental health at all stages of life.The early stages of life present a particularly important opportunity to promote mental health and prevent mental disorders,as up to 50%of mental disorders in adults begin before the age of 14 years.Children and adolescents with mental disorders should be provided with early intervention through evidence-based psychosocial and other non- pharmacological interventions based in the community,avoiding institutionalization and medicalization.Furthermore, interventions should respect the rights of children in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international and regional human rights instruments
16 Mental Health Action Plan /1',;, TV~ I Actions for the Secretariat 61 Service reorganization and expanded coverage: Provide guidance and evidence-based practices for deinstitulionalization and service reorganization, and provide technical support for expanding treatment and support, prevention and menial health promotion through recovery-oriented community-based mental health and social support services. 62 Integrated and responsive care: Collate and disseminate evidence and best practices for the integration and multisectoral coordination of holistic care, emphasizing recovery and support needs for persons with menial disorders, including alternatives to coercive practices and strategies to engage service users, families and carers in service planning and treatment decisions, and provide examples of financing mechanisms to facilitate multisectoral collaboration. 63 Mental health in humanitarian emergencies (including isolated, repeated or continuing conflict, violence, and disasters): Provide technical advice and guidance for policy and field activities related to mental health undertaken by governmental. nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations, including the building or rebuilding after an emergency of a community-based mental health system that is sensitive to trauma-related issues. 64 Human resource development: Support countries in the form ulation 01 a human resource strategy for mental health, including the identification of gaps, specification of needs, training requirements and core competencies for health workers in the field, as well as for undergraduate and graduate educational curricula. 65 Address disparities: Collect and disseminate evidence and best practices for reducing mental health and social service gaps for marginalized groups. Proposed actions for international and national partners 66 Use funds received lor direct service delivery to provide community-based mental health care rather than institutional care. 67 Assist the training of health workers in skills to identify mental disorders and provide evidence-based and culturallyappropriate interventions to promote the recovery of people with mental disorders. 68 Support coordinated efforts to implement mental health programmes during and after humanitarian emergency situations. including the training and capacity building of health and social service workers. Objective 3: To implement strategies for promotion and prevention in mental health 69 In lhe context of nationaL efforts to develop and implement health policies and programmes, it is vital to meet not onLy the needs of persons with defined mental disorders, but also to protect and promote the mental well-being of alL citizens. Mental health evoLves throughout the life-cycle. Therefore, governments have an important role in using information on risk and protective factors for mentaL health to put in place actions to prevent mental disorders and to protect and promote mental health at all stages of life. The early stages of life present a partiCUlarly important opportunity 10 promote mental health and prevent menial disorders, as up to 50% of mental disorders in adults begin before the age of 14 years. Children and adolescents with m enial disorders should be provided with early intervention th rough evidence-based psychosocial and other nonpharmacological interventions based in the community, avoiding institutionalization and medicalizalion. Furthermore. interventions should respect the rights of children in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the ChiLd and other international and regional human rights instruments