She described it as a landmark achievement: it focuses international attention on a long-neglected problem and is firmly rooted in the principles of human rights. The action plan calls for changes. It calls for a change in the attitudes that perpetuate stigma and discrimination, which have isolated people since ancient times; and it calls for an expansion of services in order to promote greater efficiency in the use of resources.

mhGAP Forum participants included 48 Member States, comprising 14 Ambassadors, 58 partner organizations including United Nations agencies, philanthropic foundations, NGOs, academic and research institutions, and WHO Collaborating Centers. Special invitees, including Robinah Alambuya of the Pan African Network of People with Psychosocial Disabilities, Jeffrey Sachs of The Earth Institute, and Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum, made remarks during the opening session. Planned actions for implementing the Mental Health Action Plan were then presented by different groups: WHO Secretariat and Member States, Civil Society, and WHO Collaborating Centers.

Access here the Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020.