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Registration for the 4th Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum is now open!

The Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum 2026 is the fourth annual event organised by the Global Mental Health Action Network (the Action Network). It is the largest and most inclusive convening of advocates and civil society stakeholders focused on mental health policy. Over three days, we will be learning about the incredible work taking place within local communities, at a national level, regionally and globally to enhance our joint advocacy and influencing efforts towards better mental health for all.

This is a unique opportunity to learn from peers, exchange expertise, and share the best practices for impactful advocacy! Our special Forum is not a traditional conference; it’s a community of changemakers coming together from 170 countries around the world.  

 Virtual Attendee  ✦  Self-Funded Attendee  ✦  Sponsored Attendee 

Will you attend in person or online? However you attend, registration is completely free. The Action Network is committed to reimagining the global mental health landscape and ensuring no voice is left behind

Travel grant applications are now closed. All applicants will be notified in October. Unsuccessful candidates will be enrolled as virtual participants, but will also have the option to apply for a self-funded spot.

The largest global mental health convening just got bigger! We've officially filled 100% of our in-person slots. But, due to overwhelming demand, we’re opening up additional spaces for members to join us in Iloilo City for this landmark event. As there is no registration fee, self-funded attendees will only need to cover their flights, accommodation, and living expenses for the duration of this trip. We’re estimating hotel costs between PHP 3,000-5,000 ($50-90) per night

Register

Sponsor
Speaker
Alab Mirasol Speaker image
Dhriti Agarwal Speaker image
Divya Sharma Speaker image
Dr Antonis Kousoulis Speaker image
Gary Belkin Speaker image
Ginger Ramirez Speaker image
Katherine Thomson Speaker image
Sarah Kline Speaker image

Why Iloilo City?

The Philippines has made incredible progress in mental health, from upgraded legislation, to leading digital innovations and significant government funding commitments. There’s so much we can learn from these achievements, as well as the country’s traditional and local approaches to power sharing, healing and community development. Iloilo City is the perfect place to showcase them.

Iloilo is a bold and meaningful choice. The city is known for its progressive approach to sustainability, climate action, and mental health education in schools. It is deeply rooted in history, with preserved heritage sites, and an exciting food scene that landed it the prestigious title of 'UNESCO City of Gastronomy' in 2023. We look forward to welcoming you to the Philippines' 'City of Love' next year! 

Why Iloilo City?

The Philippines has made incredible progress in mental health, from upgraded legislation, to leading digital innovations and significant government funding commitments. There’s so much we can learn from these achievements, as well as the country’s traditional and local approaches to power sharing, healing and community development. Iloilo City is the perfect place to showcase them.

Iloilo is a bold and meaningful choice. The city is known for its progressive approach to sustainability, climate action, and mental health education in schools. It is deeply rooted in history, with preserved heritage sites, and an exciting food scene that landed it the prestigious title of 'UNESCO City of Gastronomy' in 2023. We look forward to welcoming you to the Philippines' 'City of Love' next year! 

Countdown

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What is the Action Network?

The Action Network is a community of advocates that make change happen. With over 8,000 members from 170+ countries, we bring together expertise and knowledge from all corners of the world. Our members work across various intersections of mental health and have access to a wide range of resources and diverse perspectives. Network membership gives you the chance to collaborate with peers on campaigns and initiatives to further our collective goal of improving mental health for all. Membership is free and open to everyone!

Agenda
02
10:00 AM
- 12:30 PM

What happens when communities come together to support mental health? Guided by Keri: Care for Activists, this activity invites us to learn how Iloilo City's communities build strength and adapt to foster mental well-being. Participants will engage with local initiatives and individuals who have created resilient support systems, understanding grassroots approaches to mental health advocacy and community empowerment.

What happens when communities come together to support mental health? Guided by Keri: Care for Activists, this activity invites us to learn how Iloilo City's communities build strength and adapt to foster mental well-being. Participants will engage with local initiatives and individuals who have created resilient support systems, understanding grassroots approaches to mental health advocacy and community empowerment.

10:00 AM
- 12:30 PM
How does a city care for the mental health of its people? Alongside #MentalHealthPH, this visit invites us to learn about the public health strategies of Iloilo's Mental Health Department. Participants will gain insights into local mental health policies, how services are delivered, and the successes and challenges in providing accessible mental healthcare to the community in Iloilo.
How does a city care for the mental health of its people? Alongside #MentalHealthPH, this visit invites us to learn about the public health strategies of Iloilo's Mental Health Department. Participants will gain insights into local mental health policies, how services are delivered, and the successes and challenges in providing accessible mental healthcare to the community in Iloilo.
10:00 AM
- 12:30 PM
What happens to your brain when you walk down the street? In this activity, GMHAN’s Environment Working Group invites us to learn how beauty in the built environment serves as 'brain food'. Participants will walk around Iloilo's UNESCO Heritage Sites and learn the intertwined connection between walkability, urban planning, architectural features, landscaping and NCDs.
What happens to your brain when you walk down the street? In this activity, GMHAN’s Environment Working Group invites us to learn how beauty in the built environment serves as 'brain food'. Participants will walk around Iloilo's UNESCO Heritage Sites and learn the intertwined connection between walkability, urban planning, architectural features, landscaping and NCDs.
10:00 AM
- 12:30 PM
10:00 AM
- 12:30 PM
2:00 PM
- 4:00 PM
03
9:00 AM
- 9:30 AM
  • Welcome from the Secretariat (5mins)
  • Opening remarks from Local Govt representative (15mins)
  • Objectives for the event: Leadership Group reps (10mins)
  • Welcome from the Secretariat (5mins)
  • Opening remarks from Local Govt representative (15mins)
  • Objectives for the event: Leadership Group reps (10mins)
9:30 AM
- 10:30 AM
Fireside conversation:
  • “My life in advocacy”, Emma Rawson Te-Patu, President, World Federation of Public Health Associations
  • Followed by discussion
Fireside conversation:
  • “My life in advocacy”, Emma Rawson Te-Patu, President, World Federation of Public Health Associations
  • Followed by discussion
10:30 AM
- 11:15 AM
Tea and coffee in the lobby
Tea and coffee in the lobby
11:15 AM
- 12:30 PM
  • Led by MentalHealthPH / local organisation 
  • Followed by (all-Filipino) panel discussion
  • Led by MentalHealthPH / local organisation 
  • Followed by (all-Filipino) panel discussion
12:30 PM
- 1:45 PM
1:45 PM
- 2:00 PM
2:00 PM
- 3:00 PM

“Looking back and looking forward beyond the United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health”

A workshop with advocates from around the world, reflecting on the positioning of mental health and the priorities set at the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, and how to work together for implementation and accountability.

 

“Looking back and looking forward beyond the United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health”

A workshop with advocates from around the world, reflecting on the positioning of mental health and the priorities set at the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, and how to work together for implementation and accountability.

 
3:00 PM
- 3:15 PM
3:15 PM
- 4:15 PM

“Mapping the Geography of Stigma”

This workshop offers a focused opportunity to contribute their voices and experiences to the Geography of Stigma initiative. By working in small groups and surfacing lived examples from diverse regions, we will generate insights that highlight both the shared and unique ways mental health stigma manifests across the world.


Facilitated by GMHAN Stigma and Discrimination Working Group, the advocacy messages and examples documented here will directly inform the development of the Geography of Stigma online portal and advocacy toolkit, ensuring these resources remain grounded in real-world experiences and responsive to cultural contexts.

“Mapping the Geography of Stigma”

This workshop offers a focused opportunity to contribute their voices and experiences to the Geography of Stigma initiative. By working in small groups and surfacing lived examples from diverse regions, we will generate insights that highlight both the shared and unique ways mental health stigma manifests across the world.


Facilitated by GMHAN Stigma and Discrimination Working Group, the advocacy messages and examples documented here will directly inform the development of the Geography of Stigma online portal and advocacy toolkit, ensuring these resources remain grounded in real-world experiences and responsive to cultural contexts.
4:15 PM
- 5:00 PM
04
9:00 AM
- 9:45 AM

Reflections from Day 1 (Secretariat)

Fireside conversation:

Devora Kestel, WHO: “My career in global health - how advocacy is driving change”

Reflections from Day 1 (Secretariat)

Fireside conversation:

Devora Kestel, WHO: “My career in global health - how advocacy is driving change”
9:45 AM
- 10:30 AM

“Influencing and being influenced”

Discussion with government representatives and advocates

(TBC: Philippines, Pakistan, Maldives, Slovenia / Thailand / Norway)

 

“Influencing and being influenced”

Discussion with government representatives and advocates

(TBC: Philippines, Pakistan, Maldives, Slovenia / Thailand / Norway)

 
10:30 AM
- 11:00 AM
11:00 AM
- 12:30 PM

“Don’t follow the money: Rebuilding mental health funding and power around people”

Financing mental health can often feel complex, political, and out of reach, even for tireless advocates striving for sustainable change and inclusion. Too often, funding priorities and programme designs are shaped by donor agendas or global frameworks rather than by the lived experiences of users and local needs. This panel discussion with international donors, mental health advocates and decision-makers, will reflect on the urgent need for alternative funding solutions and policy interventions to mitigate the growing mental health crisis at a time of international development funding cuts. Along with the attendees, we will co-produce advocacy strategies and plans for effective system change.

 

“Don’t follow the money: Rebuilding mental health funding and power around people”

Financing mental health can often feel complex, political, and out of reach, even for tireless advocates striving for sustainable change and inclusion. Too often, funding priorities and programme designs are shaped by donor agendas or global frameworks rather than by the lived experiences of users and local needs. This panel discussion with international donors, mental health advocates and decision-makers, will reflect on the urgent need for alternative funding solutions and policy interventions to mitigate the growing mental health crisis at a time of international development funding cuts. Along with the attendees, we will co-produce advocacy strategies and plans for effective system change.

 
12:30 PM
- 1:45 PM
1:45 PM
- 2:15 PM
2:15 PM
- 3:00 PM

“Reimagining Global Mental Health Through LGBTQI+ Lenses”

The LGBTQI+ Working Group invites you to an open discussion exploring how global mental health efforts can become more inclusive, evidence-informed, and responsive to the diverse experiences of LGBTQI+ people. This interactive session will share emerging insights from across regions, highlighting the intersections between identity, stigma, and wellbeing. We'll provide space for collective reflection on what inclusive mental health systems could look like in practice and participants will be encouraged to consider how lessons from LGBTQI+ mental health can strengthen broader mental health policy, programming, and research.

 

“Reimagining Global Mental Health Through LGBTQI+ Lenses”

The LGBTQI+ Working Group invites you to an open discussion exploring how global mental health efforts can become more inclusive, evidence-informed, and responsive to the diverse experiences of LGBTQI+ people. This interactive session will share emerging insights from across regions, highlighting the intersections between identity, stigma, and wellbeing. We'll provide space for collective reflection on what inclusive mental health systems could look like in practice and participants will be encouraged to consider how lessons from LGBTQI+ mental health can strengthen broader mental health policy, programming, and research.

 
3:00 PM
- 3:15 PM
3:15 PM
- 4:00 PM
From Youth Engagement to Youth-Leadership: barriers and opportunities for Mental Health Advocacy
Format: Interactive group activity + plenary reflection
From Youth Engagement to Youth-Leadership: barriers and opportunities for Mental Health Advocacy
Format: Interactive group activity + plenary reflection
4:00 PM
- 4:45 PM
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