The latest edition of the mhGAP guideline is a third iteration that has been developed to help countries address the growing challenges of mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions. With 30 updated recommendations and 18 new ones, along with the pre-existing 90 recommendations, this guide is designed to provide non-specialist health workers in low and middle-income countries with high-quality, timely, transparent and evidence-based guidance for effectively treating and caring for individuals with MNS conditions.
The need for improved capacity to address MNS conditions is urgent as these conditions are on the rise globally. The revised recommendations in this latest edition aim to ensure that mhGAP provides the necessary support to non-specialist health workers in low and middle-income countries to bridge the treatment gap. This is a significant achievement given that it reflects years of investment in the mhGAP programme over the past 15 years.
The focus on improving access to care for individuals with MNS conditions underscores the importance of addressing this critical public health issue. With these revised recommendations, healthcare professionals will have a better understanding of how to diagnose and treat these complex conditions. This will ultimately lead to better outcomes for individuals seeking care and reduce the burden on healthcare systems worldwide.
