Shaping Mental Health Care: Policies, Cultural Values, and Community-Based Transformations

Transformations in global mental health care highlight a critical shift from institutional to community-based, inclusive, and rights-focused approaches. While institutional settings have historically provided essential support, they often perpetuate social exclusion and stigma. An emerging priority within public health is to develop mental health systems that better uphold human rights, cultural relevance, and community participation, especially for marginalized populations. The COVID-19 pandemic and periods of social unrest have further emphasized the urgency of building resilient and equitable frameworks for mental health care.

This Research Topic seeks to consolidate studies advancing our understanding of how mental health care systems can transition toward inclusive, community-based models. It aims to explore the intersections of policy reform, cultural values, mental health literacy, and technological innovation in building accessible and effective care. The goal is to identify best practices for integrating rights-based approaches, reducing stigma, and improving patient and community outcomes globally.

To further knowledge in this important area, we invite articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

Policy reforms supporting deinstitutionalization and inclusive care

The influence of cultural values and traditions on mental health systems

Strategies for enhancing mental health literacy and reducing stigma

Integration of human rights principles in care delivery

The application of digital health technologies and artificial intelligence

Impacts of global disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest

Barriers and opportunities for marginalized populations in accessing care

We welcome a range of manuscript types, and interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspectives are especially encouraged to inform more equitable and effective mental health care worldwide.