The Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and implementing technical cooperation activities related to the prevention, control, and surveillance of noncommunicable diseases, all forms of malnutrition, mental health, neurological and substance use disorders, including their risk factors. It also promotes policies and strategies related with disabilities and rehabilitation, road safety, as well as prevention of and response to violence in all its forms.   

NMH raises political, public, and professional awareness and helps policymakers, health authorities, practitioners, and communities to understand the burden of the NCDs, all forms of malnutrition, external causes, risk factors, and the impact of the social and commercial determinants of health.

NMH promotes multi-sector and multi-stakeholder strategies that strengthen the capacity of Member States to promote and protect health through public policies, programs, services, and surveillance, to prevent and control risks, improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and self-management to reduce the burden of death and disabilities and improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of the population.