Improving education, policy and research in mental health worldwide: the role of the wpa collaborating centres

Abstract

The WPA, within its 2014‐2017 Action Plan1, established a network of Collaborating Centres to develop innovative initiatives on education, policy and research in mental health. The aim of this network is to create repositories of information as well as offer practical advice and guidance on teaching, policy and research.

The WPA Collaborating Centres have been appointed by the WPA President and Executive Committee for a period of three years in the first instance, according to the following criteria: a) high scientific reputation at national and international levels; b) pre‐eminent status in the country's health, research or academic structures; c) high quality of academic and research leadership; d) stability in terms of achievements, staff and resources; e) willingness to deliver the WPA Action Plan; f) clear and appropriate technical expertise.

The functions of the WPA Collaborating Centres are to: a) collect and disseminate information on mental health; b) provide training and links to clinical and research centers; c) support capacity building at country or regional level; d) conduct and coordinate educational and research activities with the support of the WPA2.

The network includes now seven sites: the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India; the Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; the Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, Kenya; the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa; the Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; the Department of Psychiatry, Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University, London, UK; and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy.

The network started its activities in 2016, adopting the principles of co‐creation and the democratization of knowledge. In fact, mutual learning and exchanges are extremely important for developing new solutions that are sustainable and evidence based, and for providing better care for patients in times of economic constraints, shortage of skilled mental health professionals, and legal and policy obstacles to mental health care in all countries3, 4, 5.

The Centers will provide opportunities for scholarship across high‐, middle‐ and low‐income countries, and will disseminate curricula, best clinical practice guidelines, shared policies and high impact research to improve patient care and public mental health. Another priority is to develop shared teaching and learning projects for medical students and psychiatric trainees6, 7. In the future, the network will expand its aspirations by promoting social inclusion, protection of human rights in care environments, and adoption of effective complex biopsychosocial interventions in clinical practice8, 9.

Updates on the activities promoted by the WPA Collaborating Centres will be shared and disseminated through policy papers, educational activities and training programs.