Register for the 4th Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum!
Reimagining Global Mental Health: No Voice Left Behind
2-4 February 2026 (Philippines & Online)
The Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum 2026 is the fourth global event organised by the Global Mental Health Action Network. The Forum will take place in the beautiful Iloilo City, Philippines and online. It is the largest convening of civil society stakeholders working on mental health advocacy, and unites experts and advocates from 170+ countries dedicated to improving mental health for all
Over 3 days, we will showcase the efforts of global mental health advocacy and provide a platform to strengthen collective impact. This exciting event brings together voices often underrepresented in global forums, including activists, grassroots organisations, practitioners, researchers, UN agencies, and donors.
We’re thrilled to be hosting this event at the state-of-the-art Iloilo City Convention Center, and co-organising the Forum with #MentalHealthPH. This is the first convening of its kind in Asia, and we’re excited to learn from local partners and organisations leading innovative programmes and delivering exciting initiatives across the region. Online attendees will join via our interactive virtual lobby with live sessions, networking, and a comprehensive library of digital resources.
Registration is free for all members of the Global Mental Health Action Network!
The Advocacy Forum agenda is out now!
The Advocacy Forum agenda is out now!
Will you attend in person or online?
1,600+ GMHAN members have already registered to participate in this special event. However you attend, registration is completely free, and the Action Network is committed to reimagining the global mental health landscape and ensuring no voice is left behind.
Travel grant applications are closed, and all applicants have been notified. All remaining self-funded spaces have also now been filled for our gathering in Iloilo City, where we will be joined by over 400 advocates representing more than 70 countries. Virtual registration will remain open until the end of January. We look forward to welcoming our global community - both in person and online - for an inspiring and impactful event!
DAY 0 - 2nd February 2026
Site visits across Iloilo City
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Workshops at Iloilo City Convention Centre, in-person attendees can choose from:
Deinstitutionalisation Action Group strategic discussion
Mental Health innovation
Task sharing and community services
Environment, climate change and mental health
High-impact ecosystems & sustainable financing
Youth mental health & prevention
Bringing mental health into UHC
Experiencing life in a criminalised world: Suicide prevention
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Welcome Reception
DAY 1 - 3rd February 2026
Welcome
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“My life in advocacy” - Inspiration session with global health leader
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Speed-networking
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Learnings from mental health work in the Philippines
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Lunch & energiser
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Looking back and looking forward at the UN HLM on NCDs and Mental Health
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Mapping the Geography of Stigma
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Networking
DAY 2 - 4th February 2026
Fireside chat with a global health leader
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Influencing & being influenced - strategies for policy change
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Speed-networking
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Rebuilding mental health funding & power around people
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Lunch & energiser
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Reimagining global mental health through LGBTQI+ lenses
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Youth leadership: barriers & opportunities for advocacy
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Closing, evaluation & networking
❈ Participants joining us in the Philippines will be hosted at the Iloilo City Convention Center, while our virtual attendees will join through a bespoke virtual lobby designed to create a truly engaging online experience.
❈ Online participants will enjoy full access to all Working Group sessions on Day 1 and Day 2, interactive speed networking rooms, a comprehensive digital library featuring exclusive resources and research, and dedicated community forums to share stories of hope and inspiration.
❈ Whether you’re joining us in Iloilo City or connecting virtually from anywhere in the world, we look forward to learning, collaborating, and inspiring change together!
Knowledge Exchanges • Panel Discussions • Advocacy Workshops • Donor Roundtables • Networking •
Knowledge Exchanges • Panel Discussions • Advocacy Workshops • Donor Roundtables • Networking •
Why Iloilo City?
Inspired by the exciting developments in mental health in the Philippines, we're thrilled to be hosting our event in the beautiful Iloilo City - the first-ever convening of its kind in Asia!
There is much to learn from the country’s experience - its supportive mental health laws, expanded service delivery system, advances in digital mental health and a nearly twenty-fold increase in government mental health financing. Iloilo City is a disruptive choice, known within the region for its progressive approach to climate and conservation, championing mental health in school curricula, incredibly preserved heritage sites, and an unforgettable food scene.
❈ Set in the heart of Iloilo’s business and cultural hub, the Iloilo City Convention Center provides state-of-the-art facilities for global gatherings. With iconic architecture and design, this is an inspiring venue, providing a vibrant backdrop for meaningful dialogue and connection.
Did you know? Iloilo City is known as the city where ‘the past is always present’, and has been dubbed the Philippines’ City of Love. Each year, the city hosts seven festivals celebrating beauty, grace and abundance, heritage, culture, and faith. In 20243, it was also named UNESCO’s Gastronomy City of the Year!
We look forward to putting a spotlight on this special city and welcoming you here in 2026.
Join the free Advocacy Forum to…
