WHO issues new and updated recommendations on treatment of … – World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) has today published the third edition of the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) guideline which includes important new, and updated, recommendations for the treatment and care of mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders.

MNS disorders are major contributors to morbidity and premature mortality in all regions of the world. Yet it is estimated that over 75% of people with MNS disorders are unable to access the treatment or care they need.

The mhGAP guideline supports countries to strengthen capacity to deal with the growing burden of these conditions. It is intended for use by doctors, nurses, other health workers working in non-specialist settings at primary health care level, as well as health planners and managers.

For 15 years, mhGAP has played a vital role in improving access to evidence-based psychological interventions and medicines for the treatment and care of people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders. Considering the growing relevance of mental health, this evidence-based guide is more important than ever in supporting primary health care workers to treat people with MNS disorders, said Dvora Kestel, WHO Director for Mental Health and Substance Use.

The 2023 guideline update includes 30 updated and 18 new recommendations related to MNS conditions, alongside 90 pre-existing recommendations.

New recommendations on anxiety disorders

The guideline contains a new module on anxiety reflecting the increased number of people with anxiety disorders, which are among the worlds most common mental disorders. The module includes the following recommendations:

Psychological and psychosocial interventions

The guideline sets out the continuing importance of psychological treatments for a range of MNS conditions.

The mhGAP guideline contains new recommendations on psychosocial interventions for carers of persons with psychosis or bipolar disorder as well as new recommendations on psychosocial interventions for psychosis, alcohol dependence, substance use, dementia, and children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, ADHD and cerebral palsy.

Women and girls who want to become pregnant or may become pregnant should not use valproic acid (sodium valproate)

The guideline contains an updated recommendation which advises against the use of valproic acid (sodium valproate), a medicine for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder, due to risk of birth defects if taken during pregnancy.

The guideline recommends the following:

The guideline reflects the WHO safety statement issued in May 2023 on the use of valproic acid (sodium valproate) for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder in women and girls of childbearing potential. This was discussed at the meeting of the WHO Advisory Committee for the Safety of Medicinal products (ACSoMP) [2022 December ACSoMP recommendations]. A safety statement was also added to the Essential Medicines List (EML).

Other recommendations:

Notes to Editors:

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WHO issues new and updated recommendations on treatment of ... - World Health Organization