The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW) and the World Bank have joined forces to promote global efforts in addressing mental health issues, co-hosting the Global Mental Health Promotion Forum in Seoul. The forum, held under the theme “Hidden in Plain Sight: The Global Mental Health Crisis,” brought together experts from around the world to discuss solutions to the growing mental health challenges.
This collaboration follows talks between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and World Bank President Ajay Banga during the G20 Summit in September, where both leaders highlighted the importance of improving mental health policies. Building on these discussions, the MoHW and the World Bank have been working together to address the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. Earlier this year, they began developing a joint policy report to share insights on successful approaches from various countries.
At the opening of the forum, the MoHW and the World Bank unveiled their joint policy report, “Reducing Mental Health-Related Stigma and Discrimination: A Global Overview.” British psychiatrist Sir Graham Thornicroft, who delivered the keynote address, emphasized the staggering global economic burden of mental health disorders, which exceeds the combined costs of cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. He also introduced evidence-based mental health promotion strategies developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Shin Young-chul, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Mental Health Policy Innovation, outlined South Korea’s ongoing efforts to elevate mental health to a national priority. This includes groundbreaking policies aimed at transforming mental health care and combating stigma. Shin moderated a panel discussion that followed, featuring participants from Korea, Kenya, and Denmark. The panelists shared personal stories of overcoming mental health struggles and explored the common obstacles, such as stigma and lack of awareness, faced by their countries.
The second part of the forum featured former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, who shared his experience with depression during his time in office and his successful re-election after overcoming his mental health challenges.
The forum also explored innovative approaches to improving mental health services, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to expand access to affordable care, workplace mental health initiatives, and the importance of evidence-based psychological services.
This event marks a significant step in the global conversation on mental health, highlighting the need for collaboration across countries and sectors to address the pressing challenges of mental health stigma, access to care, and awareness.
