Global Mental Health Action Network representatives make statements at UNGA80
In September 2025, the High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health was convened by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to help governments reach agreements and make commitments on global issues. Over the last 20 years, several health issues had been prioritised on the global agenda through HLMs at the UNGA, and there have been 3 HLMs focused on NCDs in the past. But this was a rare opportunity for mental health to be at the core of such a meeting.
The Global Mental Health Action Network, enabled by our host United for Global Mental Health, has played a strategic role as the convener of the sector since early 2024. We convened a Taskforce of all major international mental health organisations and a Short-Term Action Group (STAG) of national partners and advocates coming from 40 countries around the world. This has been critical work, both in the coordination of the global sector and in ensuring that the voices of lived experience are being heard at the highest level. We have been the main platform for civil society throughout this journey and the main trusted thought partner in mental health for all major international organisations (incl. the World Health Organization and UNICEF) and many governments.
At the actual High-Level Meeting, during the UN General Assembly, we got an opportunity – for the first time in history at this important global stage - for our Global Network to be represented and make statements.
Dr Antonis Kousoulis makes a statement to the UN High-Level Meeting
The Secretariat Lead and Director of Partnerships of the Action Network, Antonis Kousoulis, was invited to give a statement from the floor as a Civil Society representative during the High-Level Meeting.
Read the transcript of Antonis’ statement:
“I am Dr Antonis Kousoulis, I lead the Global Mental Health Action Network and I would like to start my statement by counting silently to 5…
Was that awkward? I am sorry it will get worse. In those 5 seconds, somewhere around the world, 1 person attempted suicide, 12 children were abused, 1 person was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and will not be discharged for months, 130 people sat down to eat with not enough food on the table.
I'm afraid that we cannot afford another 5 seconds of silence and inaction.
When it comes to mental health - the numbers, the stories, the stigma - are devastating.
We are running out of time and we are also running out of excuses for not acting. Because we actually know how to change this. A lot of the solutions are already in the political declaration and in the work and strategies of thousands of organisations around the world.
Service reform away from isolating silo'ed institutions / suicide decriminalisation / community and online spaces that protect youth wellbeing / lived experience leadership.
If we invested in the interventions that we now know work, we would contribute over $6 trillion to the global economy. Mental health has to be financed from across all sectors, because it delivers benefits to all sectors.
Today, mental health has a spotlight on a UN global stage for the first time. Tomorrow, as many of you move on to other topics or your other work, we – the mental health advocates - our community of 8,000 people from 170 countries – will stay, and we will keep making our voices heard and holding governments accountable.
Because the path to good mental health for all begins in the policies, environments and systems we shape together. It begins with commitments to change the conditions that harm mental health. It begins today - in this room.
Thank you.”
Sarah Kline delivers interventions to the UN High-Level Meeting
The CEO of United for Global Mental Health, Sarah Kline, was an invited speaker on Panel 1 of the High-Level Meeting. She started her statement by marking the importance of the Global Mental Health Action Network:
“Thank you. Today I am speaking on behalf of my organisation, and the 8,000 mental health advocates of the Global Mental Health Action Network in 170 countries that we coordinate. But I also speak as a person living with bipolar and anxiety from the age of 9. This is me speaking professionally and personally.
Together my team and the GMHAN network members have worked tirelessly with other mental health organisations, member states, WHO, UNICEF, the NCD Alliance, researchers and academics, mental health service providers and the private sector to make the most of this historic moment: the first UN HLM to feature mental health at this level.
Together we set out what we see as essential to declaring this HLM and its political declaration a success for mental health.”
Watch Sarah’s statement:
