Mental Health Focus Areas

Given important links between economic productivity, development, and mental health, reducing workplace stress and promoting psychologically healthy work environments is a top priority for APEC economies.

Integrating services into primary care and developing strong community support networks are fundamental for improving comprehensive mental health care.

APEC economies recognize stigma as one of the greatest challenges for mental health, with a particular need to support mental health advocates who work hard to bring mental health issues to the attention of community and government leaders.

Social adversity affects mental health and wellness and must be addressed to ensure mental health services both reach and benefit vulnerable communities, including children, people with disabilities, women, and the elderly.

Improving mental health services for indigenous communities, including equitable access to higher-quality and culturally safe services, is a critical need in several APEC economies.

Several APEC economies share heightened risks for natural and man-made disasters, in which mental health interventions are as critical as physical and general health responses.

Increased data collection and sound research, standardized through best practices, is the foundation for strong interventions that will support mentally healthy societies.