Abstract:Background: Mental health, as an emerging key global health issue, is subject to being framed in various ways in the realm of global mental health (GMH) policymaking and practice. Objectives: This study adopts just pluralism and the notion of epistemic communities to explore the actors involved in these framings and the ways in which three framings, i.e. securitisation, moralisation and technification, come to be and are contested within GMH. Materials and Methods: The study adopts a qualitative approach to explore the securitisation, moralisation and technification of mental health in the field of GMH. Thematic analysis was performed on data derived from semi-structured key informant interviews with 32 global mental health 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 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 organisations, 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.
Keywords: Mental Health, global mental health, framing, qualitative research, securitisation, moralisation, technification, just pluralism, epistemic communities
