Mental Health and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda: Old Problems and New Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

The defined Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. Poor mental health and mental and behavioural disorders are present in all age groups, regardless of gender and in different cultures and population groups. Given that international and national agendas determine prevention and early intervention to mitigate the impact of mental health problems to be a priority, it is essential to screen and identify groups at risk of mental and behavioural disorders (e.g., group at risk of poverty, hunger, education, gender equality, social inequalities, effects of climate change) and promote the mental health and socio-emotional well-being of individuals throughout life (e.g., children, adolescents, adults, elderly people and other vulnerable groups). Yet, mental health is too often sidelined in terms of international development. This must change. Without global action on mental health, the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be met.

This Topic, entitled “Mental Health and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda: Old Problems and New Perspectives”, welcomes the submission of Original Research Articles, Reviews, Case Reports, Perspectives and Communications with relevance to this area of research across any setting, cultural background and academic disciplines with the hope of identifying work that will address groups at risk of mental disorders (e.g., groups at risk of poverty, hunger, education, gender equality, social inequalities, effects of climate change). Multidisciplinary research projects are especially encouraged. The listed keywords suggest some of the many other potential topics.

Dr. Carlos Laranjeira
Dr. Ana Querido
Topic Editors