In the context of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3), mental health is recognised as an integral and essential component of overall health. Particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, nations have developed a deeper understanding of how global challenges influence mental health, continuously seeking new strategies to alleviate and address mental health issues. 'Mental Health in All Policies' (MHiAP) is a relatively new policy approach aimed at systematically integrating mental health and promoting health equity. However, limited research exists on the feasibility and practical implementation realities of MHiAP in national contexts. To fill the gap, this paper explores three key questions: （1）Is MHiAP an innovative and effective policy approach to improve mental health? （2）How does the MHiAP approach diffuse domestically and internationally? （3）How do the different countries adjust and use the MHiAP approach? To answer these questions, the paper uses China and the United Kingdom as comparative cases, representing different development levels of countries. The methods used in this paper mainly include literature review, policy text analysis, and semi-structured interviews, using both secondary and primary data to explore the MHiAP’s understanding and use in both countries. The paper also integrated Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) Theory and Normalisation Process Theory (NPT), offering theoretical insights and practical recommendations for policymakers. By conducting this research, the author aims to not only extend the existing innovation theory scope but also to help develop a more inclusive and sustainable mental health ecosystem.

Authors:
Han Jiang, University College London, United Kingdom
Julius Mugwagwa, University College London, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Han Jiang is a PhD candidate at UCL’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy. Her research interests include health equity, innovation ecosystems, and evidence-informed policymaking. Her current research focuses on digital health governance and public health policy by using multi-country cases.

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