Community-Based Mental Health Care: Reaching the Unreached

A major challenge across South Asia is the unequal distribution of mental health services. Specialized services are often concentrated in cities, while rural communities, geographically remote populations and economically disadvantaged groups may have little or no access to professional mental health care. Community-based mental health care provides an opportunity to reduce this gap.

This thematic area will explore practical approaches for bringing mental health support closer to people through local health systems, schools, municipalities, community organizations, trained psychosocial workers, health workers, teachers, volunteers, peer supporters and community leaders.

The discussion will focus on how communities can become active partners in prevention, early identification, psychoeducation, basic psychosocial support, referral, rehabilitation and recovery. Particular attention will be given to task-sharing approaches, where selected mental health functions are safely delivered by trained non-specialist workers under appropriate supervision.

The conference will also explore how community mental health programs can address stigma, increase mental health literacy and strengthen referral pathways between communities, primary healthcare services and specialized care.