A multisectoral approach to developing a national strategy for mental health and suicide prevention in Sweden

BACKGROUND: Mental ill-health is increasingly recognised as one of today's major public health challenges. Many possible causes exist, distributed across all socio-political arenas. It is generally agreed that promotive, and preventive policies should be multisectoral, yet there is a lack of empirical studies concerning such endeavours. In a collaborative effort of 26 national governmental agencies, a proposal for a new national mental health and suicide prevention strategy was developed in Sweden. OBJECTIVES: To explore key stakeholders' perceptions of the process for developing a new national strategy proposal. METHODS: This is a qualitative study based on interviews with 25 representatives from 20 national governmental agencies and two external organisations. We used Directed Content Analysis and applied the Health Policy Triangle as analytical framework. RESULTS: We found that the multisectoral collaboration led to agencies' realisation of their limited knowledge about each other's way of operating. The development process has been perceived as uncharacteristically long and loosely directed. Exploring contextual factors shed light on a need for better care, prevention, and promotion. For a successful implementation of the strategy, respondents demanded clear tasks from the government. Ultimately, respondents highlighted the collaborative implementation of the strategy over its content. CONCLUSIONS: The multisectoral developmental process was perceived as successful in convening various stakeholders to establish a basis for more collaborative work, particularly regarding the strategy's implementation. The process did not only serve the purpose to develop a new strategy, but also allowed national agencies to learn about each other and how to collaborate going forward.