The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) together with key line Ministries, Non-Government Organizations, Faith Based Oraganization, including SICA, Solomon Islands National University (SINU), Multilateral and Bilateral donor partners like World Health Organization (WHO), DFAT, UNICEF, Provincial Mental Health Coordinators and Carer with Clients with lived experience successfully completed a Corporate Plan Consultation on Mental Health from 15 to 16 September 2025.
The consultation aimed to; discuss the key areas of the Mental Policy with stakeholders, foster collaboration between government, provincial health teams, partners, and communities, identify implementation challenges and propose practical solutions and draft a preliminary action roadmap, linking the Mental Health Policy to the corporate plan and Annual Operational Plans (AOPs), with the theme “Unpacking the National Mental Health Policy for Action”.
Speaking during the consultation Director Planning and Policy Mr. Brian Idufanoa said the theme “Unpacking the National Mental Health Policy for Action” illustrated the next critical step: to translate that policy into a National Mental Health Corporate Plan that will guide our priorities, resources, and actions over the coming years.
Director Idufanoa highlighted some of the work in progresses interms of legislation, infrastructure, human resources, capacity building, service delivery, health information system and upcoming initiatives. However, he stated despite work in progress in some key areas challenges remain,
“We continue to see many psychiatric cases on the streets, highlighting gaps in service reach and rehabilitation. Too many individuals still cannot access mental health services due to stigma, distance, or resource limitations.
“According to WHO reports, in many developing countries, only 15% or fewer of those living with mental illness ever receive treatment. This is a sobering reminder of the work ahead of us.
“This consultation gives us an opportunity to seek practical strategies and to build stronger collaboration so that, together, we can progressively close this treatment gap”, said Mr. Idufanoa.
He highlighted the commitment to rights and inclusion, now that the Government of Solomon Islands has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This ratification calls on all of us — across government sectors, partners, and communities — to adopt a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in supporting people with psychosocial disabilities.
He encourages all participants to align all efforts under the National Mental Health Policy, by investing in human resources, infrastructure, community outreach, and data systems, and by fostering collaboration across all sectors, we can build a responsive and inclusive mental health system for our people.
Meanwhile, Dr Rex Maukera, Head of Mental Health Services, shared his experiences witnessing parents and guardians of whose family members have undergone some form of mental illness which is challenging, stressful and painful.
He called on all partners to work together, to build a system that truly supports mental health at all levels. From community care to specialized services.
“I especially want to recognize our clients and carers. Their voices and experiences are central to this process, and their contributions will ensure that the services we develop are practical, inclusive, and people centered. He also reiterated that lets make the corporate plan a voice for the people who are unheard, who silently suffered from the Psychosocial problems.
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[MHMS]
