The WHO Africa Mental Health Dashboard, accessible via WHO AFRO Mental Health Dashboard, consolidates key indicators into a single, interactive platform that enables users to track progress, identify gaps and align national efforts with regional and global targets. It is designed to support ministries of health, policymakers, WHO staff, technical partners and the public in making informed decisions and driving action.
The dashboard features an AI-powered chatbot that simplifies complex insights for users, making the data more accessible.
Data is sourced from WHO, GBD, the Mental Health Atlas...
We’re excited to share that ISSUP has successfully launched the pilot of the Investing in Evidence-Based Prevention (IEP) Workshop, attended by 18 participants from 17 countries. The workshop was delivered in two online sessions, held on 14 and 21 August, bringing together policy-makers, decision-makers and funders.
The IEP workshop was developed by Jeff Lee, and Rachele Donini, together with the Scientific Support Team (SST). The pilot was delivered by Rachele Donini as trainer.
The first session, Introduction to Prevention Science, focused on the fundamentals of prevention...
Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process—it is dynamic, multifaceted, and deeply individual. To truly support individuals on their recovery journey, practitioners must access tools, systems, and knowledge that reflect the realities of those they serve.
The WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders provides a comprehensive snapshot of global trends in alcohol consumption, related harms, and national policy responses, alongside the availability and quality of treatment services for alcohol and drug use disorders.
Key Highlights:
Presents the latest data from WHO Member States, aligned with SDG Health Target 3.5: “Strengthen prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.”
Offers updated insights on global alcohol consumption patterns...
This survey is a collaborative effort by ICUDDR, NECPAM and ISAM. Together, we are trying to assess the impact recent reductions in funding have had to the workforce of fields dealing with substance use related issues.
Lee, EH., Yu, HJ. Effectiveness of nurse-initiated smoking cessation intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 20, 18 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-025-00648-8
Background
Smoking is one of the top causes of preventable death and is linked to many serious health problems, including cancer and chronic diseases. Nurses can play a big role in helping people quit smoking by offering support through counselling, education, and mental health care. These nurse-led programs have been shown to increase quit rates. Training nurses to deliver these programs is important, and reviewing past studies helps us understand what works best.
Methods
Researchers searched eight major health databases between March 27 and August 1, 2024, to find studies on nurse-led...
CSUCH’s data visualisation tool can be used to estimate substance use trends across the country. The data helps inform programs, practices, and research to protect communities, save lives, and improve the well-being of people in Canada.
Spotlight: Top 3 causes of death due to substance use in Canada
More than 200 people died each day due to substance use (SU) in 2020 (the latest year for which data are available). That works out to 73,994 deaths that year. The average age of death due to SU was 45 years. Tobacco use caused 63% (46,366) of SU-related deaths, followed by alcohol at 23%...
Addiction and obesity share similar neurological pathways, both linked to compulsive behaviors and the brain's reward system. Research has highlighted the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally developed for diabetes, to help manage both appetite and addictive cravings. These medications, such as semaglutide, may regulate addictive behaviors by influencing reward circuits in the brain. However, they come with potential side effects, and their long-term effects are still under investigation.
In addition, a new compound, 5-Methoxy-2-aminoindane (MEAI), is being researched for its...
This week, we say goodbye to our dear friend and mentor, Jeff Lee, the founding Executive Director of ISSUP. Jeff was a steadfast advocate for the professionalization of prevention, insisting that those working in this field should be appropriately specialized. He often reminded us that while generalists and treatment specialists are well-meaning and deeply embedded within their communities, they are not always best placed to develop and implement evidence-based prevention systems. Jeff emphasized that prevention must be treated as a distinct science—one that is grounded in rigorous research...
The Global Recovery Network is committed to providing valuable and relevant content for our community.
To ensure our upcoming webinar series aligns with the needs and interests of our audience, we have developed this survey with U.S. based Faces and Voices of Recovery to determine which topics may be of most relevance. Our goal is to offer webinars that not only inform but also develop and build skills that support recovery, advocacy, and professional growth.
Your feedback is crucial in helping us design a webinar series that resonates with and benefits you.
From October 23rd to 25th, 2024, Lisbon hosted the Lisbon Addictions 2024 Conference, bringing together 2,231 participants from around the world. The event provided a dynamic platform for sharing the latest research in addiction science and exploring future directions in addiction policy and practice. The Conference theme, "Empowering the Workforce of the Future," focused on strengthening the workforce in addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery, underscoring the critical need for well-trained professionals to meet the evolving demands of the field.
Don't miss our latest newsletter for details of recent meetings and activities in Latin America and Africa. This issue also includes information on how to gain advanced clinical skills with the UTC16 Self Led Course.
This free live training on Motivational Interviewing takes place weekly on Thursdays from 10am till 11am SAST on the following dates: 1, 8, 15 and 22 August 2024.
Motivational Interviewing is a best-evidence approach for tackling harmful...
