Environment & Climate Change

The Environment Working Group has been set up to advocate for meaningful and collective environmental action and integration of mental health in this space. As well as strengthen collaboration amongst different stakeholders and promote evidence-based advocacy and communications efforts to inform increased action linking environment to mental health.

Working Group Co-Chairs

Beto Carvalho
Vertentes & SoulBeeGood

Saad Uakkas
African Youth Initiative on Climate Change

Naro Alonzo
Mental Health Advocate, KERI

Our Focus

The Working Group’s areas of focus and activity are evolving. Its priorities have included:

  • Networking with key stakeholders in the environment and mental health space

  • Identifying key opportunities to positively integrate mental health in health and environment/climate change global and national level advocacy efforts and campaigns

  • Development of joint position papers/briefings on the environment and mental health for use by GMHAN members to advocate for change

  • Joint campaigning and amplification of activities around key global moments such as UNFCCC Processes and other relevant fora

  • Learning from experts, including experts by experience, on environmental issues and their impact/link to mental health

  • Resource sharing among members and across the GMHAN of content helpful to effectively advocate for action on the environment including climate change

Our work on COP Meetings

Our Working Group is leading Short-Term Action Groups focused on advocacy related to the UN Climate Change Conferences. Visit our dedicated pages to read about our work, blogs and impact.

Briefs and Guides

You can download our Advocacy Briefs: Climate Change, Environment, Mental Health and Wellbeing - Impacts and Practical Solutions.

They are available in: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese and Azerbaijani.

Download our Guide: Mental Health and Climate Change: Child & Youth at the forefront - A guide for both youth and decision-makers.

A landmark convening on climate change and mental health

In 2025, we directly supported and co-branded the first global meeting focused on mental health systems and climate change within the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), a platform of over 90 countries. This landmark convening, also in partnership with United for Global Mental Health, initiated a new area of global cooperation, laying the foundation for building climate-resilient and sustainable mental health systems worldwide.

Registration for this Working Group is open!

How to join us:

  • Sign up for the Global Mental Health Action Network (Action Network) and select your preferred Working Groups. Register here.

  • Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive an email inviting you to create your account for our online Community platform, Circle. Once complete, you will have access to the Working Group spaces that you selected in your registration form.

  • Circle supports us to communicate, collaborate and take action together as a global mental health advocacy community. We look forward to seeing you on the platform!

  • If you are already a member of the Action Network and would like to sign up for the Working Group, please email admin@gmhan.org