Mental health is essential to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Good mental health empowers people to realize their full potential, promotes resiliency in the face of life's adversities, supports productivity, and helps maintain social cohesion through meaningful connections.

In the Western Pacific Region, mental and substance use disorders, suicide, and neurological disorders such as dementia affect over 215 million people. Stigma against people living with mental disorders remains persistent and pervasive leaving them vulnerable to abuse while denying access to much needed support and services.

The recent Mental Health Atlas survey indicated that the provision of quality mental health care in many settings is still limited, depriving too many people across the Region of health care and support. The median number of mental health nurses, psychiatrists, social workers and psychologists in the Region is 7.4, 1.5, 1.0, and 0.8 per 100 000 population, respectively. The numbers of social workers and psychologists are extremely low in low- and middle-income countries in Asia and in Pacific Island countries and areas.