WHO and UNICEF Introduce New Manual to Enhance Mental Health Support Skills

July 10, 2025 - 05:12

In a significant initiative to bolster mental health support globally, WHO, in collaboration with UNICEF, has unveiled a new training manual aimed at empowering health and social care professionals. This comprehensive resource is designed to equip workers with essential foundational helping skills, including active listening, empathy, and collaboration, which are crucial for effectively assisting adults facing mental health and psychosocial challenges.

The stark reality remains that a majority of individuals with mental health conditions do not receive adequate care. For instance, only a mere 3% of people suffering from depression in low- and middle-income countries have access to treatment, largely due to a shortage of trained mental health professionals. This manual seeks to bridge that gap by providing evidence-informed training that can be beneficial to a wide range of support roles, including community workers, counselors, and educators.

Dévora Kestel, Director a.i. of the WHO Department of NCDs and Mental Health, emphasized the importance of strengthening foundational helping skills among non-specialists to improve access to quality mental health care. The manual outlines a structured, competency-based approach to teaching and assessing key helping behaviors, ensuring that care delivered is safe, respectful, and effective. With 15 core competencies covered, trainers can utilize validated methods, including structured role-plays, to assess and enhance the skills of helpers, ultimately leading to improved mental health support for those in need.