Abstract

This chapter gives countries an orientation on how to develop services for mental and substance use disorders. It outlines key recommendations for the organization and delivery of services and discusses several variables – resources, paradigm, value system, and environment – in terms of how they shape mental health services. The article highlights the need to move from a biomedical model to a biopsychosocial model, aim for recovery, involve people with lived experience in service planning and delivery, strengthen community care, integrate mental health care in primary care, and move psychiatric hospitalization to short-stay units in general hospitals. The article focuses on equity in service design and delivery, and the role that training, mental health policy, and legislation can play in delivering high-quality services that respect human rights.