Global Mental Health Advocacy Roadmap:
Key Dates and Events 2026
In 2025, mental health was at the core of the 4th High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Thanks to the work of GMHAN members and countless other organisations, the HLM political declaration made history: an ambitious set of commitments adopted by 175 member states.
Learn more here: Our convening and coordination work for the 2026 High-Level Meeting.
In 2026, we need to turn these commitments into action and utilise global opportunities, including events hosted by UN agencies and the Human Rights Council, to accelerate progress toward good mental health for everyone, everywhere.
January
World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (Davos, Switzerland)
Possibly events on mental health in the workplace and the workforce
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February
WHO Executive Board Meeting (Geneva, Switzerland)
Feb 2nd-7th: Sets the agenda for the World Health Assembly and the resolutions to be considered
4th Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum (IloIlo City, the Philippines and online)
[Important Networking Opportunity] Feb 2nd-4th: Gathering of global mental health advocates, online and in person - led by GMHAN
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March
International Women’s Day
Celebrating women in the workforce and health as a human right
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April
Global Public Health Week
Apr 6-10: Theme: Peace for Health. Heath for Peace.
Global Disability Summit (Berlin, Germany)
TBC - mental health is a small part of the conversations
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May
World Health Assembly (Geneva, Switzerland)
[Important Influencing Opportunity] May 18th-23rd: The decision-making body of WHO
(Read our blog from WHA 2025: WHA78 - A Milestone for Global Mental Health Advocacy)
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June
G7 Summit (France)
June 14th-16th: Health is part of the conversations, important for aligning messages
Pride Month
Visit the page of our LGBTQI+ Mental Health Working Group
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July
High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (New York)
July 6th-15th: Discussions will include current and future progress towards the SDGs
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August
International Youth Day
Visit the page of our Children & Youth Working Group.
Financing Dialogue on NCDs and Mental Health (Manila, Philippines)
Date TBC: Discussions on future financing (co-organised by the Government of the Philippines, WHO and the World Bank)
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September
World Suicide Prevention Day
September 10th: Changing the Narrative on Suicide
Visit the page of our Suicide Prevention Working Group
Global Week of Action on NCDs
Date and theme TBC
United Nations General Assembly (New York, USA)
September 8th - 22nd: Includes the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (date TBC)
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October
World Mental Health Day
October 10th: theme TBC
World Health Summit
TBC - mental health is a small part of the conversations
(Read our blog from WHS 2025: Reflections from the World Health Summit)
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November
7th Global Mental Health Ministerial Summit (Kigali, Rwanda)
TBC, Mental health service reforms a likely part of the agenda
(Read our blog from the 6th Summit in 2025: 6th Ministerial Summit: Empowering Communities, Strengthening Coalitions, and Tackling Stigma)
COP31 (Antalya, Türkiye)
November 9th - 20th: mental health focus TBC
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December
Human Rights Day
December 10th: With a focus, for our community, on the deinstitutionalisation of mental health care
Visit the page of our Deinstitutionalisation Action Group.
Universal Health Coverage Day
Advocating for integration of mental health in UHC plans
Visit the page of our Universal Health Coverage Working Group.
Advocacy guide
Global events, international and national mental health awareness days and weeks play a crucial role in raising the profile of global issues and garnering support for meaningful action. To support your advocacy we have produced this important guide: From International Days to Awareness Weeks - Advocating for Mental Health when the World is Watching. The guide is available in English, French and Spanish.
Join Us!
New to GMHAN? If you are interested in following or supporting this work, please first ensure you are a member of the Global Mental Health Action Network by signing up here, and join our activities on Circle and our Working Groups.