Integrating the promotion of child mental health into national policies for health sector reform

To promote stable mental wellbeing during childhood (from birth – 19 years old) should be a major priority for governments. This is the time within the lifespan when children will learn and develop the most, so positive influences are greatest at a young age. This paper reports recommendations suggested by a workshop Thirty two participants working in a variety of policy related areas from 14 countries met in London in 2006 for a workshop organised by the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre , Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, to consider the core components of effective methods of integrating Mental Health within health (and other public sector) reforms, which would be relevant to future strategic planning in diverse, national settings. One of the key policy topics considered by the workshop included “Child Mental Health”. The workshop worked together and separately in small groups. Recommendations were made by the group for incorporating developmentally appropriate actions, at multiple levels: in family, school and community environments.