WHA78 - A Milestone for Global Mental Health Advocacy

The Global Mental Health Action Network’s (GMHAN) presence at the World Health Assembly (WHA78) was about more than just hosting and participating in events, it was our strategy in practice. Our activities and engagements are an example of the change we hope to see in the mental health and broader health sectors, with community voices and experts by experience meaningfully included in shaping global policy.

For years, United for Global Mental Health (UnitedGMH) - Secretariat of GMHAN - and key stakeholders across the sector have worked tirelessly for meaningful recognition and the prioritisation of mental health at the highest levels. WHA78 marked a turning point. It was the first time GMHAN was actively participating in this important global moment, and what we witnessed has left us feeling energised, with a renewed sense of hope and drive.

Mental health was everywhere, and that was no accident. Staying true to our commitment to decentralise power and facilitate local-to-global influence and global-to-local action, we arrived in Geneva with 17 GMHAN members, representing 12 countries, who embody the diverse voices, lived experience and rich expertise of our global mental health community. Although our journeys and perspectives are unique, we were united in our mission to place mental health at the heart of the conversation. 

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