WPA Digitalization in Mental Health and Care: Empirical Report on Action Plan and Related Activities

Abstract

Digital health is increasingly gaining momentum in psychiatry, contributing to better public mental health. The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) is committed to capacity building and training in global mental health and care by integrating competencies and resources, including digital means. The WPA Action Plan Working Group on Digitalization in Mental Health and Care supports the promotion and implementation of digital health in mental health care worldwide. The Working Group is active in producing and improving evidence, data acquisition, policy development, education, and implementation of digital mental health and care. The Working Group has recently completed a survey shared with all 145 WPA member societies to draw a baseline account of the availability, use, and impact of digital health globally. The survey covered questions on digitalization in general and mental health care regarding the status and spectrum of digital tools and programs used in each represented country. The survey, supported by the WPA President, Staff, and 18 Zonal Representatives, was completed by member societies from all WPA/World Health Organization (WHO) regions. Findings will help ensuring accessibility, equity, and progress in country-adapted upscaling of digital mental health and care. Survey results, together with our newly developed WPA official position statement on digitalization, provide clear priorities and targeted interventions that will guide WPA to support the development and implementation of digital mental health and care to transform health systems worldwide, improve professional collaboration, promote mental health, prevent stigma, and ensure universal mental health coverage.