Celebrating Women Leading Change in Global Mental Health
This International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting some of the incredible women co-chairing the Global Mental Health Action Network working groups. Their dedication to mental health advocacy is transforming lives and driving progress #ForAllWomenAndGirls.
Sia Edward: A Holistic Advocate for Mental Health and Human Rights
Sia Edward, Program Director of Tanzania Community Health Information and Support (TaCHIS), is a passionate advocate for mental health, HIV care, and human rights, particularly for marginalised communities. As Chairperson of GMHAN’s Suicide Prevention Working Group, Sia leads global initiatives to address suicide through community-centered approaches. She played a key role in establishing the East African Mental Health Network, fostering regional collaboration to enhance mental health support. Sia’s work reflects her belief in a holistic approach to mental health, prioritising the emotional, physical, and social well-being of all individuals.
Judy Kariuki: Breaking Down Barriers to Mental Health Care
With a Master’s in International Public Health, mental health advocate Judy Kariuki is dedicated to tackling stigma and discrimination as well as improving access to care. As Co-Chair of GMHAN’s Stigma and Discrimination Working Group, Judy facilitates knowledge exchange and advocates for increased investment in anti-stigma programs. She is currently preparing to publish her study on Structural Stigma and Mental Health in Kenya, which examines systemic barriers within the healthcare system and their impact on discrimination in accessing care. Judy’s lived experience and advocacy are driving policies that foster more inclusive and equitable mental health services.
Julia Greenland Bridging Reproductive Heath and Mental Health
Julia Greenland, Managing Director: Africa for the Healthy Brains Global Initiative, is dedicated to integrating mental health into broader health initiatives across Africa. With over a decade of experience in reproductive health, Julia previously worked with Marie Stopes International in Kenya, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda and later spent seven years at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), where she led investments in adolescent health and empowerment. Her own experience with life-threatening postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter inspired her to focus on the intersection of reproductive and mental health. She now develops outcomes-based mental health programs that prioritise both accessibility and impact. Outside of work, Julia lives in Nairobi with her husband and two young daughters. She enjoys motorcycling, Dungeons and Dragons, crocheting, and making quilts, a testament to her creativity and resilience.
Sue Baker: A Global Leader in Mental Health Advocacy
With over 30 years of experience, Sue Baker has been at the forefront of efforts to destigmatise mental health worldwide. She founded the Time to Change campaign in England, which significantly transformed public attitudes and reduced discrimination. As Co-Chair of GMHAN’s Stigma and Discrimination Working Group, Sue leads a network of over 500 members, sharing evidence-based strategies and advocating for increased resources to combat mental health stigma. Sue has been open about her own mental health journey and is a Lifetime Honorary Member of the Global MH Peer Network. Her work with the Lancet Commission on Ending Stigma and Discrimination in Mental Health and the WHO Europe Mosaic Toolkit continues to shape global change.
Reseda Ramkhelawan: A Youth Advocate for Suicide Prevention
Reseda Ramkhelawan, a Trinidadian mental health advocate and Youth Parliamentarian, is a dynamic leader in suicide prevention. As Co-Chair of the Caribbean Suicide Decriminalisation Coalition, Reseda is at the forefront of efforts to reform policies and improve mental health support in the region. She also serves as the Project Supervisor of the Mindwise Project’s Suicide Prevention & Data Visualisation Unit and represented the non-profit at the 2024 International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) Conference.
She played a key role in launching PreventSuicideTT.com, a critical resource for suicide prevention, and spearheaded the Youth Gatekeepers Declaration for Suicide Prevention for Rotaract District 7030 in collaboration with regional partners. Her dedication to advocacy earned her recognition as the first Trinidadian student finalist for the McCall McBain Scholarship at McGill University.
Reseda’s leadership has made her a strong advocate for lived experience, leading youth representation in Parliamentary spaces such as the National Youth Budget Talks and the Women Parliamentarians of Trinidad & Tobago sextortion debate. As a young neurodivergent advocate, her commitment to promoting empathy for individuals in mental crisis was featured in the first WHO SIDS newsletter.
