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Integrated Innovations for Global Mental Health

This program on global mental health is seeking innovative solutions for improving treatments and expanding access to mental health care in low- and middle-income countries.  An estimated 13% of the global burden of disease is attributable to mental health disorders, with almost three quarters of this burden affecting people in low- and middle-income countries.  To address this complex problem, Grand Challenges Canada is looking for solutions that take an Integrated Innovation approach, have the potential for real world impact and demonstrate a path to scale and sustainability.

To improve treatments and expand access to care, applicants must propose innovative solutions to one (or more) of the following specific challenges identified from the Grand Challenges in Global Mental Health initiative within this priority area:

• Integrate screening and core packages of services into routine primary health care
• Reduce the cost and improve the supply of effective medications
• Provide effective and affordable community-based care and rehabilitation
• Improve children’s access to evidence-based care by trained health providers
• Develop effective treatments for use by non-specialists, including lay health workers with minimal training
• Incorporate functional impairment and disability into assessment
• Develop mobile and IT technologies (such as telemedicine) to increase access to evidence-based care

In addressing specific challenges for improving treatments and expanding access to care, proposed solutions must also take into account variations in local cultures, traditions, and beliefs, and should address the stigma, discrimination and social exclusion faced by individuals and families affected by mental health disorders in seeking treatment and care.

http://www.grandchallenges.ca/grand-challenges/gc4-non-communicable-diseases/mentalhealth/