Model United Nations International School of The Hague 二〇二四 * 十一六六 R 六 F 十一六十一九 T |

2024XXXIV Annual Session

Research report

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION

Improving response and coordination in addressing

mental health.

Improving response and coordination in

addressing mental health

Student Officer: Mwazvita

Mabota
Student officer: Mwazvita Mabota
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Forum: World Health Organisation

Issue: Improving response and coordination in addressing mental health

Student Officer: Mwazvita Mabota

Position: Chair

Introduction
Mental health conditions include mental disorders and psychological disabilities. In addition,
it also encompasses any form of self-harm, signs of significant distress and the inability to
deal with day-to-day pressures. Moreover, suicide accounts for 800 000 deaths globally each
year. This plays a role to show that it is a prominent problem in society. Studies have shown
that 1 in 6 young people are vulnerable to a depressive episode. Although mental health
conditions do not discriminate, people exposed to poverty, violence and inequality are at a
higher risk of developing mental health problems.

In 2019, 970 000 million people world-wide were living with a mental disorder with the most
common being depression and anxiety. Due to the large number of people living with mental
conditions and lack of education many of them go untreated and are faced with
discrimination and human right violations throughout their lives.

General overview
Anxiety disorders

301 million people were recorded to be living with anxiety disorders in 2019. There are
multiple different types of anxiety disorders such as generalised anxiety disorder, panic
disorder, social anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder. These disorders are often
misunderstood by the public which greatly impacts the quality-of-life individuals living with
this disorder experience.
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Depression

Although medication and treatment are available, in 2019 280 million people worldwide were
reported to suffer from depression and amongst these 23 million children and adolescents
also suffered from the mental condition. Depression makes a person more likely to attempt
suicide and practice self-harm.

Bipolar Disorder

40 million people worldwide experienced this disorder. These people too are at an increased
risk of suicide due to the extreme fluctuation of emotions which occur during manic episodes.
Effective treatment options exist such as psychoeducation and medication.

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Schizophrenia

Although it is one of the most misunderstood mental disorders worldwide, 24 million people
are affected by this disorder. People with this mental disorder have a shorter life expectancy
compared to the general population by 10-20 years. The disorder is associated with
hallucinations and disordered thinking. Medical treatments are available.

Eating Disorders

in 2019 14 million people suffered from eating disorders. Eating disorders such as anorexia
nervosa and bulimia nervosa are associated with abnormal eating habits. These play a

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drastic role in an individual’s health as it results in malnutrition which can cause a plethora of
health complications. Effective treatment options do exist such as cognitive based therapy.

Neurodevelopment disorders

These include individuals who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and
individuals who fall under the autism spectrum. These disorders often have a negative
impact on a person’s academic and social life. Treatments do exist such as speech therapy
and medication depending on how old the patient is.

Barricades preventing people seeking help.

Although mental health is more talked about nowadays most individuals still feel
uncomfortable to address their issues. In most Asian cultures such as China, Korea and
Japan people fear that admitting they struggle with mental problems would ruin their
reputation and could potentially bring shame to their families. In African cultures such as
those in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya people with mental disorders are accused of practicing
witchcraft or to be possessed by evil spirits. As a result, the person may be victim to violence
or being disowned by their families. One of the major issues is that people do not have
access to the adequate healthcare they need to be able to fully address the issue of mental
health worldwide.

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Due to the rise of digitalization, most nations have started to use online platforms such as
applications, websites, or social media to help spread awareness. Moreover, nations such as
the United Kingdom and the United States of America have developed suicide hotlines to
help support individuals.

Definition of Key Terms

Mental health

A state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life.

Anxiety disorders

Excessive worry, fear and worry related behavioural disturbances.

Depression

A group of conditions associated with the elevation or lowering of a person’s mood

such as depression or bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder

A disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to
manic highs.

Schizophrenia

A disorder that affects a person’s ability to think feel and behave clearly.

Neurodevelopment disorders

Behavioural and cognitive disorders that occur during the development period and
involve significant difficulties in the acquisition of specific intellectual, motor, language, or
social functions.

Major Parties Involved

India:

Only 1 in every 20 individuals are receiving treatment for their mental conditions.

China:

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Only has 5000 psychotherapists for a population of 1.4 billion people.

South Africa:

27% of South Africans who reported mental illness got treatment.

Timeline of Key Events

Date Description of Event

May 2013 194 Member States adopted the WHO’s Comprehensive Mental
Health Action Plan 2013-2020

2017 European Union prioritizes prevention of suicide

7 November 2021 Assisted dying became legal in New Zealand

July 2016 Human Rights Resolution A/HRC/RES/3218

September 2015 Mental health was included in the UN Sustainable Development

Goals

World Mental Health Day first celebrated

10 October 1992
First suicide hotline created
1 January 2005

Previous Attempts to Resolve the Issue

Sweden

Sweden is often ranked amongst the nations with the highest rates of quality of life and
overall happiness. In 2016, the Swedish government introduced and implemented a strategy
targeted on “prevention and awareness, accessibility to care and greater emphasis on
vulnerable groups.” This strategy included ways to prevent severe mental health conditions
as well as to increase the accessibility of treatments to citizens. Swedish municipalities
provide care for individuals who suffer from mental illnesses. Moreover, Sweden offers its
citizens access to several crisis hotlines which they can use. For example, The Rainbow Line
which is available for LGBTQ+ individuals as well as the SPES hotline which is available for
people grieving the loss of a loved one.

Germany

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Germany has 274 mental health hospitals, 401 psychiatric units in general hospitals and 63
mental health outpatient facilities. Moreover, medical insurance in Germany covers treatment
for mental disorders which very few nations do. Germany is well ahead of its global
counterparts in the number of medical professionals as it has 13 500 specialists in the
psychiatry and psychotherapy field.

Finland

Finland has established an online Mental Health Hub which provides help such as cognitive
behavioural therapies for low- threshold disorders for the whole of Finland. Since suicide
rates were particularly high amongst men, Sweden has launched multiple campaigns such
as “Time Out!” which aims to help young men.

United Nations

At the HLCM 46th session the committee presented the Mental Health and Well-Being
Strategy for 2024 and beyond. In addition, the UN has developed resources around
workplace mental health and well-being.

Possible Solutions
1. Nations could introduce 24hr hotlines to help individuals experiencing mental
conditions.

2. The establishment of more medical facilities to help treat patients at a wider

scale.

3. Introducing compulsory mental health education in the curriculum of schools.

4. Encouraging more people to peruse a career in psychology to provide more

qualified individuals to help patients.

5. Encouraging citizens to seek medical treatment by carrying out seminars in

remote areas to help educate more people about the importance of a good
mental health.

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Bibliography
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/global-mental-health/article/sustainable-
development-goals-and-mental-health-learnings-from-the-contribution-of-the-
fundamentalsdg-global-initiative/11C74357A926DCB0A7CA7999901CDF1E

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-
response

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/myths-and-facts

https://dworakpeck.usc.edu/news/15-mental-health-facts-you-should-know

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-do-other-countries-deal-with-mental-health-
7556304

https://borgenproject.org/mental-health-initiatives-in-sweden/

https://www.expatica.com/de/healthcare/healthcare-services/mental-health-in-
germany-346138/

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