GMHAN Annual Meeting 2023

This year, on June 28 - 29, GMHAN held one of the largest ever gatherings of civil society stakeholders working on mental health around the world, both in-person and virtually. This unique meeting was the first of its kind in South Africa to network, collaborate and advance progress on mental health, among the mental health community and beyond.

GMHAN is creating a global network where every campaigner and professional working in mental health has somewhere to go to access the support they need to make the change they want to see.

Our community is diverse, vibrant and unique and our annual meeting is no different. The majority of our members are from LMIC’s, we represent underrepresented and marginalised communities. We have over 1500 organisations within our membership.

Young people and people with lived experience of mental conditions are prominent within our community and we are dedicated to elevating and supporting their voices.

In case you missed any of the Annual Meeting sessions, or want to watch any back, all sessions were recorded and will be available to watch here.

You can read more of our reflections on #GMHAN2023 in this blog by the secretariat here.

What was on the Annual Meeting agenda?

Crises affecting global mental health

  • Mental health & opportunities for collective action

  • Tackling Stigma & Discrimination: lessons from around the world

  • Taking Action to Prevent Suicides

  • Mental health in the climate crisis around the world: catalysing connection for research & action

Research and data for advocacy

  • Data for Advocacy: addressing data gaps on youth mental health

  • Global Mental Health Advocacy for National Impact

The future of global mental health

  • UHC and mental health: An integrated approach

  • Youth-centred funding driving change in mental health

  • Youth at the forefront of mental health programmes and advocacy

  • Engaging with the Pharma sector - guiding principles

  • Driving change through communications

  • Digital mental health

  • Launching a new environment & mental health working group 

  • Mental Health Finance - is it time to start thinking differently? 

  • Q&A: Mental Health Funding - Now and the Future

  • Closing Session: Accelerating action

National work and programme showcases from around the world

  • National Work Showcase: Uganda, Nepal, Brazil

  • National Partner Showcase: Argentina, Caribbean, Indonesia, Grassroots Soccer

  • Waves for Change: programme showcase

  • National Work Showcase: India, Nigeria and Eswatini

Continuing the conversation on global mental health beyond the Annual Meeting

It was great to see so many GMHAN members sharing their thoughts, pictures and videos with us on our social media channels. If you don’t already please do follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.

All GMHAN members are encouraged to join GMHAN working groups and continue the conversation through the online community chat function called “GMHAN Circle”. You can join Circle, our free networking platform exclusive to members here.

As the membership and working groups continue to work on the deliverables for 2023, we’re also excited to plan for the next meeting. More information will be added to this page closer to the time.

The GMHAN Annual Meeting Key Benefits

  • Provide a unique opportunity for global mental health advocates to convene and build relationships on a scale like never before

  • Engage with global stakeholders and decision makers outside of the membership base, who are crucial to the development of the field of mental health

  • Build networks and relationships particularly within and among GMHAN members and GMHAN working groups to help achieve improved joint working and ensure deliverables for 2023/24 are met

  • Leverage the collective voice of GMHAN members to engage influential stakeholders

HELP MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN