Making it real: Actioning the mental health strategy with Pacific Island communities.

This paper examines the practical implications of the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2023–2030 Regional Framework for the Future of Mental Health in the Western Pacific, focusing on community-based mental health and wellbeing ecosystems in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Drawing on a 2023 collaborative workshop with mental health professionals and stakeholders from the Pacific region, it highlights the importance of decentralization supported by central coordination, sustained funding, quality assurance, and culturally relevant, place-based approaches that move beyond Western diagnostic models. Key challenges include stigma, workforce limitations, short-term funding, and the need for effective data collection, while opportunities arise from the relative youth of the mental health sector and partnerships with faith-based organizations. The paper concludes that flexible, community-tailored strategies with strong coordination and genuine communication are essential for successful implementation of the WHO mental health strategy in PICs.