A significant treatment gap Since the late 1990s, there has been increasing evidence that disabilities caused by mental health problems areamong the most common of all disabilities at a global level. The World Health Organisation estimates that mental andneurological problems account for 28％ of all the disability caused by non-communicable diseases, and by 2013depression is expected to be the single biggest cause of disability in the world. Despite this, mental health problemsare often very stigmatised in society, and so even though a very large number of people (and their families) are affected,it is often a hidden issue. Even within disability organisations, people with psychosocial disabilities are often notrepresented, and the voice of people with psychosocial disabilities is often not heard. We are making progress In the last 10 years, the research evidence base has shown how effective services can be implemented even indifficult parts of the world, and there are many examples of successful projects. The result has been a significantincreased in interest and investment from governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and donors. This istrue in China also, where there is a major scale-up of mental health services under way. Some examples are theEpilepsy Programme, and the 686 Programme. This is an opportunity for many people who have previously beenignored to find the help that they need. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently adopted a Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan, whichgives clear recommendations to governments and civil society about how to address priority needs in mental health.The WHOs mhGAP programme provides easy to use technical resources to support implementation ofcommunity-based, accessible mental health services, which can be provided by front-line workers in primary care.Although it is quite broad in its approach (using not only medical, but also social and psychological treatments), there isstill a need to strengthen the non-medical approaches. CBM is involved in working with WHO, civil society anddisability groups to ensure that good quality mental health services are accessible to all. Where do we go from here? The China Disabled Peoples Federation and other disability groups are in a good position to support thegovernment scale-up of medical services. CDPF already has a strong record of high level engagement with governmentto promote progressive policies and programmes (such as the 686 Programme). This can be reinforced by ensuring thattheir network of Community-Based Rehabilitation and other programmes work in a participatory way with people withpsychosocial disabilities and their families help to address the issues that have a real impact on quality of life. Thisincludes livelihoods/employment, access to the same rights and services as the general population, anti-stigmacampaigns, and awareness-raising among the general public about inclusion of people with psychosocial disabilities incommunity life. This is an exciting time for mental health globally and in China.