The evolution of humanistic values and the shift of priorities towards the quality of life resulted in the significant reconsideration of priorities important for nations. Today, health has become a major concern for governments trying to provide people with chances for better living. In this regard, the most topical issues and diseases are also considered as the primary challenge to the achievement of current goals (Bäuerle et al., 2020).
The mental health of populations also belongs to this type of issues as the incidence of severe illnesses increases, and more individuals start to suffer from them (Banh et al., 2019; Kronick, Jarvis, & Kirmayer, 2021). Under these conditions, launching the Special Initiative for Mental health became a necessary step to struggle with the growing problem and ensure the current situation is improved by using the most relevant and effective interventions (WHO, 2019). The creation of this program can be viewed as the result of cooperation between several stakeholders.
The decision to make mental health a priority was influenced by different types of organizations and individuals. First, health practitioners such as mental health specialists and health workers contributed to the increased attention to the issue (Finley, 2020). They have high interest, medium influence power, and supportive position. Second, persons with mental illnesses and disabilities are also stakeholders influencing the issue (Varvasovszky & Brugha, 2000). Their characteristics are similar to the previous group. Third, civil society and non-governmental organizations highlighted the problem and prioritized it (Makan et al., 2015).
They possess a medium-high influence, high interest, and are supportive (Varvasovszky & Brugha, 2000). Next, the media became involved in discussing the growing rates of mental diseases at all levels. Funding agencies and sponsors also took part in the shift of priorities towards mental health (Mills, 2018). Finally, being attracted by the scope of the issue, policymakers, such as the Ministries of Health, WHO, police services, and committees became influential stakeholders altering the situation in the healthcare and creating the basis for the introduction of the discussed program (Makan et al., 2015). Their position can be described as supportive, with high influence, high interest, and high impact on the issue.
This number of active participants demonstrates the increased significance of the mental health problem and the necessity to resolve it using the most effective and practical interventions. Thus, the most common interest is the reduction in the incidence of new illnesses annually, as it will result in the improved health of the nation and a better quality of life for broad populations (Jain & Orr, 2016). Furthermore, another interest is creating new ways to treat mental diseases via research and investigation (Cook et al., 2019). It demands collaboration between all stakeholders to ensure the appropriate data sharing and evaluation (Shekhawat & Chathley, 2018).
At the same time, WHO, Ministries of Health, and other agencies have a common position regarding the global policy, stating that it should improve the situation by using evidence-based practice, innovative procedures, and approaches (Makan et al., 2015). For this reason, this position on the topical issue results in mental health becoming the top priority in the modern world.
Launching the Special Initiative for Mental Health also introduces several ways to influence the global policy and approach to deal with this issue. First, health workers, therapists, and patients can impact the research by providing relevant and up-to-date data about the current state of the area, the way existing medicines and approaches influence patients, and recommendations or directions for future research (Marquez & Saxena, 2016; Patel et al., 2018).
It will help to select the vector for development and coordinate efforts (Shekhawat & Chathley, 2018). At the same time, this credible evidence influences the WHO, Ministries, and sponsors that have to launch new projects and investigations, along with support programs, to help people with these diseases and improve their quality of life (Erving & Thomas, 2018). In such a way, the accepted incentive can influence the global policy processes through the collaborative effort focused on promoting positive change and attaining progress.
This stakeholder analysis helps to understand several critical issues. First of all, mental health is a growing problem that should be given much attention. This evaluation promotes a better understanding of how the interests of all stakeholders can impact global cooperation and precondition the change in the attitude to a particular issue. Stakeholder analysis shows that the existence of similar interests and credible evidence might trigger the public debate (WEF, 2019). It can also ensure that individuals with specific problems can expect assistance because of the correct understanding of their current needs and steps that should be done to guarantee they are provided with care vital for them (Kron et al., 2019). From this perspective, this tool is an effective method to understand the causes of introducing a specific policy and its support.
Altogether, mental health is one of the most serious challenges of the healthcare sector today. Resolution of this problem demands a collaborative effort of multiple stakeholders to create appropriate policies and influence the global attitude to it. The stakeholder analysis shows that the policymakers cooperate with agencies, health workers, and patients to use relevant data and introduce the most practical solution focusing on the most critical aspects. It seems the only possible way to attain the desired change and provide people suffering from this problem with a chance for better living and integration with society.
References
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