Written by Shoukat Ali Baloch. There is no good and bad COP. However, focusing on mental health, I have observed during multilateral negotiations and party meetings, lobbyings and also personal meetings with delegates from the parties, that mental health was on their agenda and they were discussing it broadly to address the integration of mental health stressors at the grassroots level. 

The G20 Brazil is over and the presidency was delivered to South Africa. Highlighting the  Brazilian resilience and South African wisdom at  the heart of the accomplishments we had this year, no concept better  represents the essence of our work than Ubuntu—“I am because we are.” This philosophy of interconnectedness and mutual care defines the work of a group dedicated to initially advocate for the Mantra and the prioritisation of the investment of Children and Adolescents Mental health, and later, collectively building the #ChildrenInG20

By Don Zane Muwanguzi, Team lead/founder Awesome Minds Speaks 

On World Mental Health Day (10th October 2024), the Generational Perspective Dialogue organised by Awesome Mind Speaks brought together over 232 participants, including youth, policymakers, mental health professionals, and community leaders, to tackle the pressing mental health challenges faced by Uganda's young people.

I am writing this blog just after World Mental Health Day, energised by all the beautiful content, meaningful conversations and impressive work I've been noticing happening around the world over the past couple of days. But this work can also be frustrating. All too often, in meetings and events, I am reminded that it is a sector that remains unequal and, in certain respects, underdeveloped.

On 1st October, we were joined by the key figures setting the agenda for the most significant days in the mental health advocacy calendar. Prof. Tsuyoshi Akiyama (President of the World Federation for Mental Health) and Prof. Rory O'Connor (President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention) shared recommendations to enhance advocacy plans for awareness days, including outlining how advocates can maximise impact in low-resource settings and champion the voices of persons with lived experience.

International and national mental health awareness days and weeks play a crucial role in raising the profile of global issues and garnering support for meaningful action. This advocacy guide aims to provide recommendations to help mental health champions harness the momentum of such moments.

We stand at a critical juncture in history. More than half of the world’s children live in G20 countries, yet their rights, mental health, and well-being remain severely underrepresented in global policy agendas. Amid rising inequalities, the climate crisis, and slow progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the mental health of future generations is at risk.

Mental health issues among postpartum women in low to middle-income countries represents a silent epidemic that negatively impacts a range of health outcomes. The period following childbirth is fraught with physical, emotional, and psychological changes, which is further exacerbated by limited access to healthcare, lack of mental health awareness, and mental health stigma.

On Tuesday 20th August, we partnered with the Health Effects Institute to explore the effects of air pollution exposure on brain and mental health. Our expert speakers discussed the current evidence base, including new research on the impact of air pollution on conditions such as dementia as well as psychotic symptoms, mood disorders and suicide rates.

Air pollution is contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. Outdoor and indoor air pollution cause respiratory and other diseases and are important sources of morbidity and mortality. At the same time, the connection between air pollution and mental health is a growing area of research and advocacy.

Here is what you “need to know” from the current evidence base.

Digital mental health includes mobile and web-based apps, digitally delivered interactions (via e.g., video calls, chats, artificial intelligence chatbots, virtual reality), and devices for assessing, predicting and monitoring health (e.g., wearables and smartwatches) for: information provision, screening and monitoring, intervention, and social support.

Here is what you “need to know” from the current evidence base.

There is no health without mental health, and the attendees at AIDS 2024 wholeheartedly agree! We joined forces with United for Global Mental Health, Elton John AIDS Foundation, and The Global Fund to host the first-ever Mental Health Networking Zone at the Global Village. Exceeding all expectations, we were delighted to meet with over 700 mental health advocates—a powerful demonstration of interest and solidarity for our cause.

On Monday July 29th, a regional coalition was launched with various stakeholders from other Caribbean territories, to advocate for the decolonization of laws against suicide in Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, St. Lucia and in Grenada. This refers to the process of revising or abolishing colonial-era laws that sought to criminalize suicide and suicide attempts. Inherited from European colonial powers, these laws reflect outdated views that treat suicide as a criminal act rather than as a mental health issue.

In June the Global Mental Health Action Network Communications Working Group hosted a knowledge exchange session sponsored by Pinterest on developing case studies to tell impactful stories and support advocacy efforts and donor communications.

Our #MHForAll webinar on Allyship and Social Participation explored current perspectives on social participation in global mental health, including sharing an update on the currently proposed WHO Resolution on Social Participation for Universal Health Coverage and reflections on allyship, solidarity and power sharing across parts of the complex spectrum of global mental health.

The Global Mental Health community has been slow to respond to the underserved needs of the LGBTQI+ community. Through the new LGBTQI+ Working Group, Co-Chairs aspire to increase coordination, knowledge-sharing, and capacity building, or else efforts will remain fragmented. It is imperative to amplify our collective voice, pool resources, and stand united in our commitment to LGBTQI+ mental health and equality.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst Caribbean youth between the ages of 15 and 25. In 2017, almost one in seven adolescent students in Trinidad and Tobago had attempted suicide. In the rest of the population, the rate of suicide attempts in the Caribbean has been steadily increasing. Survivors of suicide and self-harm require support and mental health services.

Our #MHForAll webinar on Sport and Mental Health explored the profound impact of sport on mental well-being, shedding light on grassroots initiatives and strategic interventions that promote positive mental health outcomes. With a focus on how sport serves as a catalyst for healing, resilience, and awareness, expert panellists shared perspectives from the field and discussed strategic initiatives led by funding organisations and umbrella associations.

Blog co-authored by the Stigma and Discrmination Working Group Co-Chairs on why tackling stigma and discrimination matters and what the evidence tells us about tackling this issue globally.

At this webinar, experts discussed the findings of The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Mental Health Implementation Research, and insights from the Being Initiative’s Public Goods Report.

In a recent #MHForAll webinar, diverse experts and a big international audience from 99 countries gathered to delve into the nuanced and complex topic of decolonising global mental health. Throughout the discussion, each panellist offered invaluable insights, illuminating various dimensions of this critical issue.

The Environment Working Group has produced two advocacy briefs providing a comprehensive overview of the current and projected impacts of climate change on mental health. The documents outline practical measures that governments should undertake to address mental health challenges both presently and in the future. The advocacy briefs are available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

We had the privilege of organising a webinar focused on a crucial topic, “Integrating Effective Communication in Responding to the Mental Health Needs of War-Impacted Populations in Ukraine." This event was part of the monthly knowledge and information sharing sessions organised by the Action Network Communications working group.

The advocacy roadmap outlines the global mental health sector's opportunities and challenges and sets out success factors for 2025. Within this resource, you will also find key dates and events, and information on the roles that key stakeholders will play at these global moments.

If there’s one key takeaway message for us in the global mental health space from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 154th Executive Board (EB) session, it is that mental health remains strong and central in the global health agenda but more action is needed to deliver better mental health for all.

The MHForAll webinar series kicked off the year with a dynamic discussion on the integration of mental health training into medical and nursing education. Panellists addressed the inefficiencies in mental health services globally, emphasising the shortage of clinicians to meet the rising demand.

This report covers basic concepts, such as universal health coverage, and emphasises how vital it is to incorporate mental health into the UHC framework. It explains the pivotal commitments made by governments at the recent UN high-level meeting on UHC in 2023, outlining a roadmap for meaningful action and progress.

On Tuesday 28th November, our panel of experts explored the diverse applications of digital mental health tools. The experts discussed the impact, and successes of these interventions, and explored the challenges of implementing new tech-based solutions. Alongside this, our panellists shared how these innovative strategies can bridge service gaps, improve accessibility, and eradicate mental health stigma.

On Tuesday 31st October, a panel of experts met to reflect on World Mental Health Day and discuss what we can do to make mental health a priority all year round.

On Tuesday 26th September, a panel of experts met to discuss the work being done around the world to commemorate World Mental Health Day (WMHD). Panellists discussed their new campaigns and initiatives and outlined how organisations and individuals can get involved both nationally and globally.