COVID-19 has shaken the world, causing enormous damage to the physical and mental health of millions. We need an urgent and powerful global response to this developing mental health crisis. This report argues that the mental health workforce needs to change dramatically both in its composition and in the way mental health specialists work with the wider public and civil society in order to meet this need. It also calls for much greater investment in mental health. The report builds on current trends and developments to set out new directions for the workforce and makes recommendations for governments, international bodies, service providers and educators. The mental health workforce is already changing. There are new roles such as peer supporters and experts by experience and new initiatives to integrate physical and mental health which enable general health workers to provide treatment and care…more