Building Mental Resilience: The Critical Role of Primary Health Care

Mental health conditions affect nearly one in eight people globally, with depression and anxiety accounting for hundreds of millions of cases¹. Depression is now the leading cause of disability worldwide², and suicide remains the fourth leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29³. Despite this, a vast treatment gap persists: in low-income countries, as many as 85% of people with mental illness receive no care at all. Even in high-income countries, up to half go untreated¹.

These figures tell a clear story. Mental health needs are growing, and the systems we rely on to meet them are falling short. One of the most overlooked resources in addressing this crisis is also one of the most widespread: family doctors.

On May 19, World Family Doctor Day, physicians in more than 110 countries mark the occasion under the theme “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World.” The theme reflects a growing recognition that mental health is not separate from primary care—it is central to it.

Why Family Doctors?

The causes of mental health conditions are complex. Biological vulnerabilities such as neurological changes and chronic illness play a role—but they are only part of the picture⁴. Early life trauma, stress, grief, poverty, and displacement are equally important^{5, 6, 7, 8}.

Family doctors are trained to see the whole person. Their approach is biopsychosocial, grounded in continuity, trust, and context. By listening closely, asking the right questions, and recognising subtle signs of distress, they can intervene early—long before a crisis point. Through techniques such as behavioural activation, mindfulness, and lifestyle support, they help patients build the tools for recovery. And when more specialised care is needed, they provide the critical link.

A Model for Scalable Solutions

One recent initiative, the MDD Minds for Primary Care program, shows what’s possible. From 2023–2024, nearly 3,000 family doctors in nine countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America took part in a training program to improve care for people with major depressive disorder.

The project combined online learning, a Train-the-Trainer model, and quality improvement initiatives in clinics. Importantly, it emphasised self-care for doctors. Participants reported increased clinical confidence, improved patient interactions, and better integration of non-pharmacological approaches into daily practice. In pilot sites, depression screening among people with chronic illness became standard protocol³⁴.

Shifting the Narrative

This year's WFDD campaign encourages a new view: mental wellness is not the absence of suffering but the presence of resilience. It is the ability to adapt to challenges, to find meaning, and to move forward—sometimes slowly, but always with hope^{10, 11}.

This outlook reflects how many family doctors already work. Healing is not linear. Instead, it is about trusted relationships, gradual progress, and realistic hope¹². Family doctors do not promise a perfect life—they help patients find strength within themselves, one conversation at a time.

A Shared Responsibility

Family doctors are not the only solution—but they are an essential part of it. On World Family Doctor Day, we honour their contribution to mental wellness. By investing in primary mental health care and supporting the people who provide it, we build more resilient, more compassionate communities.