NCDs High-Level Meeting STAG
The NCDs High Level Meeting Short-Term Action Group has been set up to maximise inclusion and champion advocacy on the road to the 4th High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in 2025. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for greater civil society involvement and presence in relevant global meetings and the Action Network is uniquely positioned to bring the voice of local advocates to the global stage.
Our Focus
Mental Health is increasingly seen as an important component of the 4th High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in 2025. This is a rare occasion of mental health included at the core of a UNGA high-level meeting. Overall, this agenda is an opportunity to secure new political and financial commitments from key governments to deliver high quality, rights-based, integrated person-centred mental health services as part of UHC, integrated into tertiary, secondary, primary and community-based prevention and care. WHO has called for greater CSO involvement and presence in relevant global meetings and GMHAN is uniquely positioned to enable this.
Our Convening
The Global Mental Health Action Network (Action Network) is convening the following:
HLM Mental Health Taskforce: provides the collective expert voice of the global and multilateral mental health sector, informing the work of the international agencies at every step of the journey to September 2025.
The Taskforce is chaired by Dr Antonis Kousoulis, GMHAN’s Secretariat Lead, and its membership includes: United for Global Mental Health, Mental Health Innovation Network, World Federation for Mental Health, International Disability Alliance, World Federation of Public Health Associations, World Psychiatric Association, International Alliance of Mental Health Research Funders, Coalition for Mental Health Investment, Global Leadership Exchange, NCD Alliance, as well as the WHO and UNICEF as observers. Representatives of significant funders and mental health groups from regional networks are also invited.
HLM Short-Term Action Group (STAG): a Task & Finish group with national partners (especially those from countries likely to feature at the HLM) that are meeting and working together at critical milestones in this period. The aim is to support GMHAN members who are keen to leverage the HLM process to drive change nationally and/or internationally.
The STAG we are chairing includes 29 civil society representatives from 24 countries and regions.
Civil Society Consultations: the Action Network is also ensuring that its membership is informed and engaged in the multi-stakeholder processes in the run up and at the HLM and will do broader CSO consultations globally, to inform the work of the Task & Finish Group, the Taskforce and the HLM.
Our Aims:
Overall, the HLM (and our joint work towards this) is an opportunity to:
Position mental health alongside and distinct from NCDs; recognising the overlapping and separate issues.
Significantly increase awareness and understanding of mental health among political leaders, UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors, trusts and foundations and CSOs.
Leverage parallel processes including global health financing discussions.
Develop and strengthen governments championing mental health globally and taking action nationally.
Secure specific commitments for mental health now towards fulfilling commitments within SDGs and WHO’s Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030 and to inform the future development framework beyond the SDGs.
Recommended links:
World Health Organization, On the Road to 2025.
World Health Organization, How to get involved and consultation opportunities.
United for Global Mental Health, Reporting back: the International Dialogue on Sustainable Financing for NCDs & Mental Health.
If you are interested in following this work, please first ensure you are a member of the Global Mental Health Action Network by Signing up here, and email the Secretariat at admin@gmhan.org.