Mental and brain health represents an integral element of health and well-being, and therefore an important objective of efforts to promote and protect health. At the same time, mental health, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions constitute a large and growing challenge to public health and sustainable development. Yet mental health, brain health and substance use are seldom addressed in an integrated way. They have long been marginalized and are often kept apart from mainstream health care systems. In many countries, this segregation and fragmentation has led to unequal access to services, limited funding, insufficient and inefficient use of human resources and high levels of stigma.

To address these concerns and promote a holistic, person-centred approach to the promotion and protection of physical and mental health, WHO has prepared an integrated operational framework for mental health, brain and substance use. Working in close collaboration with WHO’s Strategic Technical Advisory Group for Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use (STAG-MNS), the framework throws a new light on the links between MNS conditions, and also the links between MNS conditions and other health conditions, to show how integrating promotion, prevention and management strategies can lead to a more effective use of resources and better health outcomes. By recognizing how mental health, brain health and substance use are linked to each other and to other areas of health and well-being, policymakers, health service providers and other stakeholders can work towards achieving sustainable development and ensuring the well-being of all. Accordingly, the framework aims to provide WHO Member States and other implementers with practical insights and proposed actions to strengthen the public health response to MNS conditions in an integrated way.