Background: Mental health, as an emerging key global health issue, is subject to being framed in different ways within the realm of global mental health (GMH) policymaking and practice. This study adopts the theoretical framework and findings from a review on the formation of global health priorities to examine how the three dominant framings, i.e., securitisation, moralisation, and technification, shape mental health issues in GMH. This paper also considers the actors involved in advancing and contesting these framings through the pursuit of various forms of collective action.
Methods: The study adopts a qualitative approach. Thematic analysis was performed on data derived from semi-structured key informant interviews with 38 GMH actors.
Results: The results provide empirical support to the three framings in global health prioritisation. Additionally, inductive coding reveals emergent sub-themes and additional actors who contribute to or challenge the dominant frames in the securitisation, moralisation, and technification of mental health. Insights suggest that framings of mental health co-exist and are advanced and contested by a range of actors including governments, international organizations, civil society, academia, the media, and religious leaders and faith communities.
Conclusions: Being cognizant of the ways in which mental health is framed and the actors involved in advancing or challenging particular framings of mental health is crucial to designing and implementing mental health care policies, interventions, and systems that equitably serve the needs of individuals and populations at the community, (sub-)national, and international levels. It is essential to activate a context-sensitive and relevant network of GMH stakeholders who can leverage their positions and expertise to effect tangible outcomes and improvements in the mental health and lives of persons with lived experience.
