Since Grand Challenges Canada was launched in 2010, it has supported a pipeline of over 700 projects in more than 80 countries. The organization works closely with Canada’s International Development Research Centre, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Global Affairs Canada.

In addition to the international work being done by Grand Challenges Canada and its partners, other organizations have recently taken a greater interest in addressing the world’s unmet mental health needs. In September, the United Nations adopted its Sustainable Development Goals and it includes a commitment to promote mental health and well-being and reduce premature death caused by noncommunicable disease by one-third by 2030, through prevention, treatment and the promotion of mental health.

The World Health Organization has put together a comprehensive mental health action plan for 2013 to 2020, which was adopted by the 66th World Health Assembly. The plan includes strengthening leadership and governance for mental health, providing comprehensive mental health services in community-based settings, implementing strategies that promote mental health and improving information systems, evidence and research for mental health.

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