Over the past decade there have been significant efforts to scale-up mental
health services in resource-poor countries. A number of cost-effective
innovations have emerged as a result. At the same time, there is increasing
concern in resource-rich countries about efficacy, efficiency and
acceptability of mental health services. We consider two specific
innovations used widely in low- and middle-income countries, task-sharing
and a development model of mental healthcare, that we believe have the
potential to address some of the current challenges facing mental health
services in high-income countries.