Olivia Woodrow

Mental Health Officer - Brain Health (Mental Health Department) - WHO

Shared by Olivia Woodrow - 16 December 2023
Originally posted by Olivia Woodrow - 16 December 2023

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The WHO Mental Health Department's mission is to promote mental health, and human rights for all across the lifespan; to prevent the harmful use of alcohol and other substances, to prevent mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders; and to reduce the mortality, morbidity and disability for persons with MNS disorders and associated psychosocial, cognitive and intellectual disabilities.

Objectives:

  • To promote care, recovery and the human rights of people with mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders and associated disabilities,
  • To increase access to affordable, good-quality services and supports for people with MNS disorders and associated disabilities, their families and communities within the context of UHC and across the life course,
  • To include care for people with MNS disorders and associated disabilities in emergency responses for immediate relief and to build back better,
  • To prevent suicide, MNS disorders, harm due to alcohol and other substances, and addictive behaviours, across the life course.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In the area of brain health:

  • Provide technical input to the work program.
  • Participate, as requested, in in-country activities concerning promotion, prevention, care, management, data and research. 
  • Provide technical input in the development, testing and/or dissemination of WHO and inter-agency normative guidance and tools.
  • Support WHO senior staff in the implementation of relevant public health programmes with Member States, UN agencies and Non-State Actors and support WHO's efforts to advocate for the area.
  • Conduct research and promote the implementation of a research agenda.
  • Collect and analyze data on MNS conditions and their consequences, and on promotion, prevention and care, and prepare and disseminate data-based information.
  • Participate in the capacity building.
  • Exchange information with counterparts in technical departments at HQ and in Regional and Country Offices, and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) on the implementation of relevant policies and strategies. 
  • Support, if requested, WHO's response to mental health in emergencies.
  • Contribute to the monitoring of work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow-up on the implementation of planned activities. 
  • Review and follow up on contractual engagements with partners and institutions. Perform all other related duties as assigned.
  • Specific duties (Two or three Specific duties could be added if required for the specific assignment in a specific region or area of work)
  • Provide technical assistance for the development of normative tools for brain health and neurological disorders across the life course. 
  • Provide support to countries in the implementation of global action plans on epilepsy and other neurological disorders. 
  • Provide support to countries in the implementation of the global action plan on public health response to dementia.