Topic 1- The Global Mental Health Crisis

With over 970 million people worldwide diagnosed with mental disorders, and the recent global pandemic contributing greatly to suicide rates across all nations, the global mental health crisis is certainly a problem that has become increasingly highlighted on the world stage. Treatments such as psychobehavioral therapy and medication remain extraordinarily expensive and not easily accessible in many countries, and cultural stigmas act as social barriers to receiving care. As even the most common mental disorders can be a danger to an individual’s life, the WHO must tackle and address the systemic challenges and barriers to effective mental health care, including but not limited to: the shortage of mental health professionals, limited funding, effective global policies, and cultural stigmas.

Topic 2 - Vaccinations

Vaccinations have been a great subject of debate, with some questioning their role in the treatment of widespread diseases at the cost of possibly horrific side effects. The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has added more nuance to the argument as the question of whether mandated vaccinations ought to exist or not as many now question how reliable medical corporations can be in producing an effective and safe vaccination that can become available to all. Should vaccinations become mandatory worldwide, at an individual nation’s level, or up for a patient to choose? This committee must discuss and determine the challenges in vaccine distribution, the impacts of different mandatory policies, and the roles of various stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.