GMHAN at the UN HLM: Hear from Lucero Andaluz Llerna

Lucero Andulaz Llerna

Executive Director & Co-founder, De-Mentes (Peru)

Can you share a bit about your background and the work you’re doing in mental health, and how it connects to the UN High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health?

My personal journey with mental health began at a very young age. Growing up, I witnessed the stigma, discrimination, and systemic barriers that affected millions of people with lived mental health experiences in my home country, Peru, including my brother, who lives with schizophrenia. That experience shaped my commitment to create change.

As Executive Director and co-founder of De-Mentes, I lead mental health initiatives focused on advocacy and stigma reduction, access to ​care, and inclusive educational and work environments. Our mission is to transform how mental health is understood and addressed. The UN HLM on NCDs and Mental Health provides a critical opportunity to promote global action. It’s a chance to ensure that mental health is recognized as an essential component of health and sustainable development.

From your perspective, why is it critical for world leaders to prioritise mental health alongside other global health and development issues at UN HLM?

Mental health is intrinsically linked to other global development priorities. Without addressing it, progress in areas like NCDs, poverty reduction, gender equality, or climate resilience will remain incomplete. We cannot expect individuals or communities to thrive if their mental health needs are overlooked. World leaders need to see mental health as an investment in human capital and sustainable development. Prioritizing mental health at the UN HLM is about acknowledging that there is no health—and no sustainable development—without mental health.

If global leaders make strong commitments on mental health at the UN HLM, how would that advance mental health in your country?

In Peru, mental health remains underfunded and often stigmatized, despite the existence of national policies. Strong commitments from global leaders could translate into increased political will, resources, and accountability at the national level, helping to close the gap between policy and practice. For organizations like De-Mentes and for young advocates, this would create momentum to push for systemic change and for much needed intersectoral policies. 

Lucero’s call to action

"Mental health is intrinsically linked to sustainable development. We need Member States to acknowledge this link and adopt multisectoral strategies that address the underlying social determinants of mental health".

Learn more about how GMHAN has been convening the sector and amplifying the voices of national partners to influence the outcomes of the HLM on NCDs and Mental Health.