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
Dena Lahar
Ataraxis
Ali Hasnain
UnitedGMH
Dumiso Gatsha
UHC2030 Civil Society Engagement Mechanism
Steve Maingot
World Federation for Mental Health
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)
How to join us:
Ensure you are a member of the Global Mental Health Action Network. Sign up here.
Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive an email inviting you to sign up for our Working Groups and register for our networking platform, Circle. Please use the same email address that you used when registering for the Action Network when submitting the Working Group form.
If you are already a member of the Action Network, sign up for the Working Group using this form.