United for Global Mental Health

As October comes to an end, a month dedicated to global mental health awareness, we're reflecting on the crucial shifts in the conversation we saw across the world. Earlier this month, we launched the #MoveForMentalHealth campaign, highlighting the essential dual meaning of movement. 1. Movement matters: Physical movement – big and small – can support mental wellbeing. 2. We’re all part of a bigger movement: There’s a mental health movement happening right now. From personal, physical movement, to the global movement for better mental health for everyone, everywhere. We must keep this momentum going. We must continue to move for mental health. Take a deep dive into our World Mental Health Day messages, videos and guides below.  https://lnkd.in/e2jJSahd

Earlier this month Aviwe Funani attended the impactful Adolescent Wellbeing Investment Case Workshop with the The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa , UNICEF, and World Health Organization. As well as advocating for funding and support of adolescent mental health, the attendees were keen to champion 'Move for Mental Health', our campaign that focuses on the benefits of physical movement and highlights the broader mental health policy movement. What does 'move for mental health' mean to you in the context of child and youth mental health? Being Initiative Fondation Botnar #MoveforMentalHealth #GlobalMentalHealth

At the Africa CDC #CPHIA2025, young leaders across Africa came together to raise awareness of youth led health strategies and recognise mental health at the heart of any change. Our Being Initiative Advocacy Team, from United for Global Mental Health, had the privilege of connecting with inspiring youth leaders from the Africa CDC Youth Programme. Being continues to champion the power of collaboration and youth leadership. We congratulate the Africa CDC Youth Programme for driving change and building a generation of empowered advocates transforming how health systems respond to young people’s needs. African Union, GCC , Fondation Botnar #YouthMentalHealth #BeingInitiative #UnitedGMH #AfricaCDC

🤝Across East Africa, governments, advocates, and development partners are working together to strengthen community-led mental health systems that deliver real change for people on the ground, advancing our shared goal of deinstitutionalisation and integration of mental health into community and primary health care. The East African Mental Health Summit 2025, hosted by the Ministry of Health (Uganda) in partnership with StrongMinds Uganda and regional partners, created space for dialogue and collaboration around scalable innovations for mental health integration across sectors. We were pleased to see Being Initiative partners TAHMEF, represented by Dr. Juliana Busasi, and the Africa Academy for Public Health (AAPH), represented by Innocent Yusufu, share insights on youth-led digital innovations and the need for integrated multisectoral approaches. Faith Nassozi Kyateka represented the organisation, delivered a presentation on translating global commitments from #UNGA80 into national action, and joined a panel discussion exploring opportunities to strengthen domestic and international financing for mental health. 📜Vincent Mujune, Country Director, StrongMinds Uganda, shared that "the East African Mental Health Summit has developed the Kampala call to action, outlining shared regional commitments and actionable strategies to strengthen policies and systems for community mental health services across the region.” 🌍As global conversations move from #UNGA80 toward national implementation, this summit marks an important step in ensuring that policy commitments are matched with action and that communities remain at the heart of sustainable mental health reform. Being Initiative, Fondation Botnar, and Grand Challenges Canada

We are tracking critical work at CPHIA 2025, where the focus is firmly on accelerating Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and championing African self-reliance through local manufacturing and sustainable financing. Earlier today, our Senior Policy Officer for Children and Youth, Aviwe Funani, contributed vital insight during the session on integrating cervical cancer prevention into primary care. Aviwe highlighted a key intersection between physical and mental health: "Mental ill health and lower wellbeing can be a huge barrier to physical health interventions. To reach girls and young women with cervical cancer prevention programmes, we need to consider their mental health." This underscores the need to embed mental health support into all primary health interventions to truly achieve UHC across the continent. Africa CDC, WACI Health, Global Fund Advocates Network, Being Initiative #CPHIA2025 #PublicHealth #MentalHealthMatters #AfricaCDC #OneWorldOnefight

We're looking forward to this year’s International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2025)! Organised by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), CPHIA is the largest health conference globally and the continent's flagship public health convening. It provides a unique African-led platform for leaders to share innovative, practical, and evidence-based solutions to Africa’s health challenges. CPHIA 2025 aims to accelerate the move toward universal health coverage and champion African self-reliance by addressing critical areas like local manufacturing of health products, sustainable health financing, and pandemic preparedness. The conference will feature eight key tracks, including: *Mental Health Systems Reforms to Achieve UHC and Health Equity. *Advancing self-reliance via innovative and sustainable health financing. *Strengthening health security by addressing climate change and One Health. *Empowering a healthier Africa through digital innovation and artificial intelligence. CPHIA 2025 will amplify an African-led agenda that influences decision-making at major global platforms, including the upcoming G20 in South Africa. https://cphia2025.com/ Being Initiative #CPHIA2025 #AfricaCDC #PublicHealth #UniversalHealthCoverage #MentalHealthMatters

We echo the International Alliance of Mental Health Research Funders (IAMHRF) call for collective action to strengthen evidence, coordination, and sustainable financing for mental health. The momentum from #UNGA80 shows what’s possible when global partners come together to put mental health at the heart of development. 💡Follow IAMHRF’s post for deeper insights and to read our op-ed on why it’s time to rethink mental health financing through a systems lens.

Integrating mental health into HIV and TB programmes is not just good practice; it’s essential for improving health outcomes and saving lives. Thank you, Elton John AIDS Foundation, for making mental health support a core part of the HIV and TB response through this partnership. 🔗 Check out the EJAF post below to learn more about our partnership and shared work.

⭐ We are delighted to announce the new Advisory Group (2025-2027) of the Global Mental Health Action Network! ⭐ 🌍 Our Advisory Group comprises 18 elected and appointed members, representing geographical regions around the world and major international mental health organisations. Our Advisors, along with our Working Group Co-Chairs and our Secretariat, make up our GMHAN Leadership Group, which is our main steering and accountability mechanism that ensures that our Network remains truly member-driven! Meet our Advisory Group: 🔹 Sarah Kline, appointed, representing United for Global Mental Health 🔹 Devora Kestel, appointed, observer, representing the World Health Organization 🔹 Giovanni Sala, appointed, observer, representing the World Health Organization 🔹 Ann Willhoite, appointed, representing UNICEF 🔹 Emma Rawson-Te Patu, appointed, representing the World Federation of Public Health Associations 🔹 Thomas G. Schulze, appointed, representing the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) 🔹 Djavila Ho, appointed, representing the Global Psychology Alliance 🔹 Ogenyi Isaac Agbo, elected, representative of Africa 🔹 Opiyo Martin, elected, representative Africa 🔹 Sasha Hajj-Assaf, elected, representative of the Eastern Mediterranean Region 🔹 Dion Ras, elected representative of the European Union  🔹 Yevheniia Usychenko, elected, representative of Europe (non-EU) 🔹 Tabitha Ellis, elected, representative of the Americas 🔹 Lucero Andaluz Llerena, elected, representative of the Americas 🔹 Priti Sridhar, elected, representative of India 🔹 Malki Umeshika Lokuge, elected, representative of the South East Asian region 🔹 Matthew Jackman BSW (Hons) GradCert Madstudies MASW, elected, representative of the Western Pacific region 🔹 Mei Li, appointed, representative of China 👉🏽 https://gmhan.org/people 📣 Not a member of GMHAN? Joining the Network will connect you with 8,000+ members who share your commitment to good mental health for all. You will have access to the latest news and resources from across the sector and unique perspectives from around the world. All members have special access to our online community platform, Circle. On Circle, you can network with changemakers, participate in exclusive events, and share success stories with advocates in 170+ countries - all in real-time! Membership is free for everyone. Register now! 🔗 https://gmhan.org/join #MHForAll #MentalHealthAdvocacy #GlobalMentalHealth