Public mental health special interest group • WPA

Public Mental Health Special Interest Group

During 2023-2026, the WPA Public Mental Health Special Interest Group supported the WPA’s 2023-26 Action Plan and continued the work of the WPA Public Mental Health Working Group.

Objectives

Improved implementation of evidence-based PMH interventions in different countries:
- Highlight opportunities to implement PMH interventions in different cultural contexts.
- Support translation of evidence into practice.
- Raise awareness and prioritisation of PMH in national health policies.
- Support national assessments of unmet PMH needs across diverse populations.
- Support PMH training including through digital platforms.
- Work with the WPA Medical Student Special Interest Group.
- Collaborate with the WPA Service Users and Family Supporters SIG.
- Support integrated PMH approaches across health systems and sectors.

WPA associated work including publications, presentations and the Specialist Corner of the WPA 2023-26 Action Plan.

Collaboration with WHO, WONCA, WFPHA and United Nations including the 2025 UN Political Declaration on NCDs and mental health.

Dissemination of PMH relevant work including publications, webinars, presentations and training resources.

Activities

Between 2023 and 2026, the WPA Public Mental Health Special Interest Group continued the activities of the WPA Public Mental Health Working Group and carried out related activities including publications, training resources and other WPA supported public mental health activities. In April 2026, the WPA Public Mental Health Special Interest Group combined with the WPA Section on Public Policy and Psychiatry to become the WPA Public Mental Health Section.

Public Mental Health Special Interest Group Members

The WPA extends its thanks to the members of the WPA Public Mental Health Special Interest Group for their work between 2023 and 2026.

Chair:
Dr Jonathan Campion

Director for Public Mental Health, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK; Honorary Professor of Public Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Co-Chair:
Professor Debasish Basu

Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER Chandigarh, India; Director, WPA Collaborating Centre Chandigarh.

Special Interest Group member list