This is timely to renew Vanuatu Mental Health Policy and Strategic Plan (2021-2030) as Vanuatu is prone to natural disasters such as cyclone, volcano ashes and public health emergencies. The year 2020 was especially challenging as our country faced Tropical Cyclone Harold and global COVID-19 pandemic simultaneously that alerted once again importance of strong health system response towards addressing psychosocial status of Vanuatu people.
This comprehensive Mental Health Policy and Strategic Plan will reassure provision of mental wellbeing as an essential component of health care and services in achieving health for all people and aims to achieve equity and human rights through universal health coverage. Thus, keeping in mind the importance of mental health prevention and management, we would like to work to ensure good mental health of all people of Vanuatu through establishing enabling environment where people realise their potentials to cope with normal stresses of life, work productively and contribute to their society and communities; and protect people from mental health abuse and discrimination inclusive of people with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities.
It is with great pleasure that I present the Mental Health Policy and Strategic Plan for 2021-2030 which will be implemented in line with the Global Mental Health Actions and the Vanuatu National Sustainable Development Programme. With this, I encourage all stakeholders and communities to work together to ensure mental health and rights of our people are respected and protected.
Read Vanuatu Mental Health Strategy and Strategic Plan 2021-2025 here.