BACKGROUND:
Promulgated over two decades ago, South Africa’s Mental Health Care Act represented a revolutionary legislative change in mental healthcare service delivery, from psychiatric institutions to integrated care in the general healthcare setting, with equitable access at primary health care.(1) However, the country still lacks a national mental health clinical programme guideline (CPG), and reports an estimated 90% mental health treatment gap among the medically uninsured population.(2) In contrast, other priority conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, and maternal and child health are supported by well-established CPGs that standardise care and guide service organisation, funding, monitoring, and accountability, thus promoting universal health coverage.(3-6) This organized session, convened by the Public Mental Health Special Interest Group of the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA), will discuss whether a national mental health CPG is needed, feasible, and what this guideline should entail.

METHODS:
An interactive one-hour workshop using a facilitated panel discussion is planned. Participants will examine the purpose and effectiveness of existing CPGs and the potential value of a mental health CPG. Key discussion areas will include scope, governance, funding mechanisms, implementation complexity, and intersectoral coordination.

RESULTS:
The session will generate shared understanding of the roles CPGs play in translating policy into practice, and identify practical and contextual challenges and opportunities to developing a national mental health CPG.

CONCLUSIONS:
By situating mental health within a broader health system and programmatic framework, this session will determine whether and how South Africa should develop a mental health CPG, contributing to a more coherent, accountable, and sustainable service delivery.