Registration for the 4th Global Mental Health Advocacy has now closed!
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.
Our events are always free to ensure accessibility for everyone around the world!
The Advocacy Forum agenda is out now!
The Advocacy Forum agenda is out now!
Registration has now closed
More than 2,100 GMHAN members from 130+ countries have registered to participate in this special event, with 500+ advocates, leaders and changemakers joining us in-person in Iloilo City!
Due to overwhelming interest in the event, registrations have had to close earlier than expected! We are now fully subscribed for both online and in-person participation.
While we won’t be running a waitlist for this event, we encourage you to join our Network to stay informed about future opportunities. Please note our office will be closed for the holidays. During this time, please only contact events@gmhan.org for any urgent queries regarding your participation in this event. Additional registration requests cannot be accommodated at this time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
DAY 0 - 2nd February 2026
Site visits across Iloilo City
↓
Workshops at Iloilo City Convention Centre, in-person attendees can choose from:
How experts by experience can drive action on Deinstitutionalisation
Deconstructing mental health innovations
From lived experience to leadership: mental health task-sharing
Understanding and acting on climate and youth mental health
Solutions, Storytelling and Strategy
Youth mental heal in a changing world
Bringing mental health into UHC
Experiencing life in a criminalised world: Suicide prevention
↓
Welcome Reception
DAY 1 - 3rd February 2026
Welcome
↓
“My life in advocacy” - Inspiration session with Emma Rawson Te-Patu
↓
“Being Fundable and Findable” - Keynote talk with Kevin L. Brown
↓
Speed-networking
↓
Learnings from mental health work in the Philippines
↓
Lunch & energiser
↓
Looking back and looking forward at the UN HLM on NCDs and Mental Health
↓
Mapping the Geography of Stigma
↓
Networking
DAY 2 - 4th February 2026
“My career in global mental health - how young people are driving change” with Zeinab Hijazi
↓
Influencing & being influenced - strategies for policy change
↓
Speed-networking
↓
Rebuilding mental health funding & power around people
↓
Lunch & energiser
↓
Reimagining global mental health through LGBTQI+ lenses
↓
Youth leadership: barriers & opportunities for advocacy
↓
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!
The Forum is generously made possible through the support of our donors.
Major Contributors
We are also grateful to generous core funding support from:
We are thankful for additional support from organisations and individuals whose contributions help enable participation and provide resources for sessions and materials, including:
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.
