BluePrint Group Meeting, Nairobi 2020

From 14th-15th February 2020, the BluePrint Group, now known as the Global Mental Health Action Network, held its first-ever member convening in Nairobi, Kenya.

Advocates came together to develop plans for 2020, focusing on advocacy and communications priority areas for action and opportunities for collaboration on key processes, events and moments in the advocacy calendar. This included joint advocacy on the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria; integration of MH in UHC: and MHPSS in humanitarian and conflict settings policy and advocacy.

This was an opportunity for partners to share learning and the latest developments in global, regional and national mental health: programmatic, policy and advocacy. Members took part in networking activities to foster greater collaboration across regions and sectors and strengthen ties within the network for stronger, and more coordinated efforts towards better mental health for all. Participants discussed the future development and strategic direction of the BluePrint Group. Just a few months after the meeting in Nairobi, members were invited to contribute to a series of consultations, leading to the decision to change the name of the BluePrint Group to 'The Global Mental Health Action Network'.

What was on the agenda?

  • Current Trends and Future Plans for Global Mental Health - Hosted by Devora Kestel (WHO)

  • Panel discussion - Successes and learning: stories of progress from 2019  - Integration of mental health into youth policy in Tonga; Banning pesticides in Nigeria; Decentralising mental health budgets in Nepal; Integrating mental health into the UN High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage

  • Rotating presentations: Mental health programmatic innovations - Atmiyata (India), Waves for Change (South Africa) and WHO Quality Rights (Kenya)

  • Parallel workshops: 

  • 1. Mapping initiatives and encouraging joint action on Child and Youth Working Group

  • 2. Raising National and International funding for Mental Health  

  • 3. Building on the Dutch summit: accelerating action on humanitarian and conflict mental health

  • 4.  UHC/Global Policy working group 

  • Feedback from working groups - Child and Youth; Funding for Mental Health; Humanitarian and UHC/Global Policy

  • Working Session: Looking ahead: a global road map for mental health advocacy - Coordinated by Sarah Kline (UnitedGMH)

  • Networking Sessions and information sharing

  • BluePrint Group Strategy Discussion

Collaborating with members and taking action!

All GMHAN members are encouraged to join GMHAN working groups and continue the conversation through the online community forum called “GMHAN Circle”. You can join Circle, our free networking platform exclusive to members here.

As the membership and working groups continue to work on the deliverables for the year ahead, we’re also excited to plan for the next meeting.

The GMHAN Annual Meeting Key Benefits

  • Provide a unique opportunity for global mental health advocates to convene and build relationships on a scale like never before

  • Engage with global stakeholders and decision makers outside of the membership base, who are crucial to the development of the field of mental health

  • Build networks and relationships particularly within and among GMHAN members and GMHAN working groups to help achieve improved joint working and ensure deliverables for 2023/24 are met

  • Leverage the collective voice of GMHAN members to engage influential stakeholders