GMHAN Annual Meeting: Mental Health Advocates Gather in Cape Town
“We need to have a unified voice on mental health advocacy. We have common problems and we need to come together to have a global impact.“ - Stephanie Whiteman, Healthy Caribbean Coalition
The first hybrid Global Mental Health Action Network annual meeting in three years took place in Cape Town on June 28 - 29, 2023. With people joining from all across the globe to connect in person and even more joining us to collaborate online, it was a truly historic moment in the network’s history.
Over 150 people attended in person, spanning 6 continents from more than 45 countries - everywhere from Norway to Nigeria, Ethiopia to Eswatini, Brazil to Australia - with over 50 sponsored to attend from LMICs
Many joined us online further boosting the numbers of countries and organisations that took part
18 sessions were held on topics as diverse as digital mental health and suicide prevention
Waves for Change from South Africa took people surfing and led the whole conference through a series of energisers to teach them all about stress and stress management. “Everyone shout Simunye Sisonke…”
News from the GMHAN annual meeting included:
Agreement to launch the GMHAN environment and climate change working group with colleagues from the Philippines, Tonga, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Brazil and Kenya among those who took part
Publication of guides to financing for mental health and donor profiles for leading bilateral aid donors
Coming up:
A new report on data for mental health - keep your eyes peeled for the report being shared next week
In August the Child and Youth working group will launch, "Guiding Principles and Recommendations for Effective Lived Experience Youth Engagement Practices."
“Filipinos are portrayed as resilient people who can continue after catastrophes - but we are not okay, it is not okay, I'm hopeful today that we are doing something on climate change and mental health.”
Roy Dahlidahil from #MentalhealthPH
The BBC global news channel covered the meeting with live interviews with Mark van Ommeren from WHO, Roy Dahlidahil from #MentalhealthPH (Philippines), Taha Sabri from Taskeen (Pakistan), and Sarah Kline from United for Global Mental Health.
Kenyan journalist Brygettes Nagana joined us from NTV Kenya, recording multiple interviews with participants and featuring stories on why we need to tackle stigma and discrimination in mental health. She recorded a special segment for the Kenyan nightly news on how the decriminalisation of suicide has been achieved in different countries, something campaigners are working to achieve in Kenya too. You can watch it here.
“When I keep quiet, stigma wins and I can’t let that happen.”
Edwin Mutura, Mentally Unsilenced, Kenya
In case you missed a session, or want to watch any back, all sessions were recorded and are available to watch here.
Brief notes of each session will be shared soon. There were so many incredible conversations taking place throughout the conference, with session participants working together to agree on the actions that need to be taken forward by the working groups. If you’re not yet part of a working group and want to continue these conversations, you can join here.
All GMHAN members are encouraged to join GMHAN working groups and continue the conversation through the online community chat function called “GMHAN Circle”. You can join Circle, our free platform exclusive to members here.
We have received masses of lovely messages saying how much the conference meant to those who participated and what they intend to do next. We will be gathering a full report together but for now… here is a representative flavour of the responses from those who have been in touch.
“I learnt a lot and was able to network with individuals and organizations represented. I got inspired and gained new insights which I believe this will herald a new chapter in our Mental Health work.”
“Congratulations on organising an event with such a kind and inclusive atmosphere among a very diverse group of stakeholders - it was a testament to the power of collaboration and connection and we’re excited for the momentum created.”
“The level of expertise and insight shared throughout the event was truly remarkable, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees… The connections and knowledge gained from this conference will undoubtedly contribute to the success of our organisation and the important work we strive to achieve.”
“The GHMAN meeting in South Africa was the most authentic gathering of mental health commitment and passion, anywhere, ever. This was a meeting of activists, advocates, researchers, people with lived experiences and experts who care, who are action oriented, who give of time and efforts without seeking personal rewards and who do not use the mental health landscape to sell services and products… My conversations with many, highlighted this feeling of inclusion and genuine respect; the warmth; the passion; the unbelievable and very relevant knowledge and information; the awesome work of so many embraced within the GHMAN universe; the welcome absence of the lecturing and talking down to that is often manifested at global events; the showcasing of the unbelievable work and efforts of so many, especially at the grassroots and the focus on every inhabitant on the mental health landscape.”
Thank you to all those who took part online or in person. And a special thanks to those who helped fund the meeting including the Wellcome Trust, Vitol Foundation, Kokoro and longstanding GMHAN funders Lululemon, the Adobe Foundation, Pinterest and Foundation Botnar.
