This paper focuses on the importance of involving patients, families and other carers when offering and deciding on treatment and care options. It highlights the activities of international and national organisations in facilitating collaboration with patients and families in treatment, research, teaching and training related to mental healthcare.

Taking the Middle East as an example, we explore ways to empower service users and carers. Resources are required for the introduction of community mental health systems and the development of tailor-made psychoeducation, both of which need to be culturally and historically sensitive. A further aim should be the sustained and constructive engagement of families in caring for relatives who have a mental illness, in the community.

The burden on and mental well-being of family carers for the elderly, especially those with dementia, has been well studied in high-income countries and to a lesser extent in the Arab region. Our study of Lebanese carers highlights the importance of considering the psychological well-being of the family carer, and the role of dementia and depression in increasing the burden of care. Psychosocial interventions have produced equivocal results and therefore customised and contextualised interventions need to be researched. Greater understanding of the coping mechanisms used by carers is required and an examination of the positive aspects of caring is warranted.

The paper describes the current provision of psychiatric services in Algeria – in particular, in-patient and out-patient facilities, child psychiatry and human resources. Education, training, associations and research in the field of mental health are also briefly presented. The challenges that must dealt with to improve psychiatric care and to comply with international standards are listed, by way of conclusion.

Mental health law in Algeria originates from the French colonial era. Although several pieces of legislation deal with mental disorders, their implementation remains unsatisfactory and does not meet the real needs of healthcare providers. Amendment of the current mental health law is required to enhance the delivery of care but also to protect those with a mental disorder from abuse.

The impact factor (IF) is a metric for assessing academic journals. Despite its shortcomings, the IF is the preeminent yardstick by which the quality of scientific journals is determined. In this paper, the key aspects of the IF are covered from an international perspective, with a specific emphasis on psychiatry journals.

In Qatar between 2008 and 2011, strategic developments at governmental level were beginning to reflect a more positive understanding of mental health. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Health, key stakeholders agreed to develop a strategy to reform the mental health system, while tackling stigma. This article discusses the development of the National Mental Health Strategy for Qatar, Changing Minds, Changing Lives, 2013–18, its implementation, and the findings from an independent impact evaluation carried out in 2015.

Mental health professionals have opportunities to intervene and provide care for trafficked people. Research shows that mental health problems – including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder – are prevalent among trafficked people, and that at least some trafficked people come into contact with secondary mental health services in England.