Having timely, representative, good-quality data on mental health is essential to provide an evidence base for decision-making, drive policy change, ensure accountability, and make the case for increased investment and improved access to services. Critical aspects of public mental health surveillance range from the epidemiological assessment of mental disorders and associated needs for care and support, to the measurement and evaluation of mental health service inputs, throughput, outcomes and overall system performance.

In the absence of a standardised approach to the global collection and reporting of data on mental health policies, legislation, resources and services for mental health, the Mental Health Atlas initiative was established by WHO in 2000, with the first global report published in 2001. Several editions of the Atlas survey have since followed.

At this webinar, we will be exploring and discussing key findings and insights from the new edition of the Atlas. The latest global estimates on the epidemiology of mental health conditions and suicide will be shared, together with other data updates from the World Mental Health Report, providing a comprehensive overview of the state of the world’s mental health today.