Religion, faith, and spirituality have long been intertwined with mental health, offering both profound benefits and significant challenges. From fostering resilience and community to providing structure and meaning, faith can be a powerful force for well-being. Yet, its history also includes harmful practices, stigma, and exclusion.

In our  recent webinar #MHForAll Webinar hosted on 27th February, experts explored this complex relationship, asking: How can we harness the benefits of faith for mental health while addressing its potential harms?

This #InternationalWomensDay, we’re celebrating 5 incredible women who are changing the world through their leadership in mental health advocacy.  All 5 are co-chairs of the Global Mental Health Action Network , a collective of advocates driving positive change in mental health worldwide. From suicide prevention to tackling stigma, their work is transforming lives and creating a more equitable future for #ForAllWomenAndGirls.  

The Commercial Determinants of Health (CDoH) refer to strategies and approaches used by the private sector to promote products and choices that influence public health. Understanding the commercial forces influencing health is crucial because corporate practices and market dynamics play a major role in shaping environments and behaviours that contribute to the development and perpetuation of harm and illness.

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

The Global Mental Action Network and the Mental Health Innovation Network are partnering in a project that seeks to understand the impact of government aid funding cuts on mental health services worldwide and reimagine how the sector works.

Our new HLM briefing document highlights key priorities for achieving equitable, integrated, and rights-based mental health services worldwide and is meant to support UN Member States, policymakers, and advocates.

The briefing is endorsed by leading global organizations, Save the Children, World Federation for Mental Health, PATH, MHPSS Collaborative and others, this briefing is a call to action for stakeholders to unite around shared priorities and influence the outcomes of the HLM.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.