Universal Health Coverage

This Working Group brings members together for joint advocacy, campaigning, networking, resource sharing, learning, and capacity building geared towards the meaningful integration of mental health into Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Working Group Co-Chairs

Jakub Bil
Frombrok Psychiatric Hospital, Poland

Wendy Wang
Nora Therapy, China

Pradeep Gunarathne
CAN MH Lanka, Sri Lanka

Our Focus

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has been recognised as a key tenet of sustainable development and the World Health Organisation (WHO) also recognizes the promotion and improvement of mental health as a key component of UHC.

Member states have committed to achieving UHC by 2030 and our working group ensures that mental health is meaningfully integrated into UHC planning, programmes and financing in line with targets set in the WHO’s Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan.

Our work:

Mental Health and Universal Health Coverage: From commitments to action

We have conducted novel research that we released in a report exploring how UHC could be achieved for mental health, primarily focusing on the integration of mental health services into existing health systems. By showing both the scale of gap in coverage, particularly in lower-middle and lower income countries, alongside the exponential benefits in closing the gap, the report built the case for support and a broad advocacy framework for future action.

Recommended reading: Advocacy toolkit for integrating mental health into universal health coverage (English / French / Spanish)

Registration for this Working Group is open!

How to join us:

  • Sign up for the Global Mental Health Action Network (Action Network) and select your preferred Working Groups. Register here.

  • Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive an email inviting you to create your account for our online Community platform, Circle. Once complete, you will have access to the Working Group spaces that you selected in your registration form.

  • Circle supports us to communicate, collaborate and take action together as a global mental health advocacy community. We look forward to seeing you on the platform!

  • If you are already a member of the Action Network and would like to sign up for the Working Group, please email admin@gmhan.org