The World Health Organization (WHO) embraces a definition of health as “physical, mental, and
social well-being”. Of these elements, mental well-being historically has been misunderstood and
often forgotten. WHO has spent the last five years actively addressing the barriers that prevent
access to mental health care and campaigning for the full incorporation of mental health in worldwide
public health. Thanks greatly to their hard work, mental health now ranks as a priority within
the international health and development agenda. Governments across the world and health professionals
across the disciplines are now more aware of the importance of mental health issues to
the overall health of individuals, communities, cities, and even entire nations.