Preparing for the 6th Global Mental Health Ministerial Summit in Qatar
This week we are in Doha, Qatar, for the 6th Global Mental Health Ministerial Summit. This year’s Summit at a pivotal moment. Since its inception in London in 2018, this convening has evolved into a critical platform for government leaders, experts, and advocates to translate dialogue on mental health into tangible policy and action. Each host nation has brought unique focus and regional perspectives.
The significance of the 2025 Summit is profoundly amplified by its timing, following closely the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health. Building on the UN Political Declaration, ministers, practitioners, advocates and experts are gathering in Doha to reiterate a powerful mandate for change and a renewed global commitment. And the timing of the Summit means that the conversation needs to shift from a forum of discussion to an engine of implementation.
Hosted by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, this convening is the first opportunity for ministers and health leaders to strategise on making the ambitious goals on the UN Political Declaration a reality. This includes deinstitutionalising mental health care, addressing stigma and systemic discrimination, and driving an improvement in youth mental health. The Summit also has a special focus on implementing digital solutions to streamline mental health services and improve system efficiencies, so inevitably we will be discussing both the priorities for investing and the need to follow the evidence base on digital mental health.
A delegation from United for Global Mental Health staff and Global Mental Health Action Network members will be leading key conversations over the coming two days. By harnessing the momentum from New York and focusing it into concrete, collaborative strategies in Doha, the global mental health community can take a definitive step toward a future where mental health is prioritised on both global and national agendas.
- Antonis Kousoulis, Director of Partnerships and GMHAN Secretariat Lead
