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Registration for the 4th Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum
 has now closed!

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.  We have an exciting line-up of activities and inspirational keynote talks with experts from the field. Online and in-person attendees will have access to a comprehensive library of resources, dedicated networking breaks and forums. You will also have the opportunity to make your voice heard through global mental health surveys, all while participating in Working Group-led sessions and panel discussions!

 ✦  Registration has now closed  ✦ 

Our events are always completely free for everyone. At the Action Network, we are committed to reimagining the global mental health landscape and ensuring no voice is left behind.

We are delighted to share that over 2,100 global advocates, leaders, and changemakers have registered for this special event, with more than 500 attendees joining us in-person in Iloilo City, the Philippines! Online and in-person registrations are fully booked. While we won’t be running a waitlist for this event, please join our Network to learn about future events.

Please note that our office will be closed for the holidays. During this time, please only contact events@gmhan.org for any urgent queries regarding your participation in the event. Additional registration requests cannot be accommodated at this time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Advocacy forum agenda

Day 0 - 2nd February 2026

Site visits across Iloilo City
Workshops at Iloilo City Convention Centre, in-person attendees can choose from:
  • Deinstitutionalisation Action Group strategic discussion
  • Mental health innovation
  • Task sharing and community services
  • Environment, climate change and mental health
  • High-impact ecosystems & sustainable financing
  • Youth mental health & prevention
  • Bringing mental health into UHC
  • Experiencing life in a criminalised world: Suicide prevention
Welcome reception & networking

Day 1 - 3rd February 2026

Welcome
"My life in advocacy" - Inspiration session with Emma Rawson Te-Patu
"Being Fundable and Findable" - Keynote talk with Kevin L. Brown
Speed-networking
Learnings from mental health work in the Philippines
Lunch & energiser
Looking back and looking forward at the UN HLM on NCDs and Mental Health
Mapping the Geography of Stigma
Networking

Day 2 - 4th February 2026

“My Career in Global Mental Health - How Young People are Driving Change” - Fireside chat with Zeinab Hijazi
Influencing & being influenced - strategies for policy change
Speed-networking
Rebuilding mental health funding & power around people
Lunch & energiser
Reimagining global mental health through LGBTQI+ lenses
Youth leadership: barriers & opportunities for advocacy
Closing, evaluation & networking

Download the full agenda

Sponsor
Speaker
Aden Carreon Speaker image
Aiysha Malik Speaker image
Ali Hasnain Speaker image
Amornthep Sachamuneewongse Speaker image
Anaami Pandit-Haji Speaker image
Anne-Claire Stona Speaker image
Anne-Sharlene Murapa Speaker image
Antonis Kousoulis Speaker image
Aviwe Funani Speaker image
Betty Kong Speaker image
Deepika Devadas Speaker image
Dion Ras Speaker image
Divya Sharma Speaker image
Dr. Bhoomikumar Jegannathan Speaker image
Dr. Emma Lawrance Speaker image
Dr. Ishmael Amarreh Speaker image
Dr. John Aruta Speaker image
Emily Bachan Speaker image
Emma Rawson Te-Patu Speaker image
Esther Faith P. Torre Speaker image
Foday Sarr Speaker image
Francesca McLaren Speaker image
Grace Gatera Speaker image
Hannah Morillo Speaker image
Harun Abdullah Speaker image
Holly Wise Speaker image
Jakub Bil Speaker image
Jasmine Vergara Speaker image
Jonathan McKay Speaker image
Joy Muhia Speaker image
Judah Njoroge Speaker image
Judy Kariuki Speaker image
Julia Greenland Speaker image
Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury Speaker image
Kevin L. Brown Speaker image
Khalid Saeed Speaker image
Kyra Ballesteros Speaker image
Leslie Ann Luces Speaker image
Lucero Andaluz Speaker image
Marat Yu Speaker image
Margianta Surahman Juhanda Dinata Speaker image
Maria O'Brien Speaker image
Matt Jackman Speaker image
Milton Wainberg Speaker image
Miranda Pursley Speaker image
Moniq Muyurgas Speaker image
Murilo Fragoso Slomka De Oliveira Speaker image
Muskan Lamba Speaker image
Naro Alonzo Speaker image
Nataya Branjerdporn Speaker image
Oliver Williams Speaker image
Philline Salvador Speaker image
Pradeep Gunarathne Speaker image
Raj Mariwala Speaker image
Reseda Ramkhelawan Speaker image
Roy Dahildahil Speaker image
Rufaro Mushonga Speaker image
Sarah Kline Speaker image
Sasha Hajj-Assaf Speaker image
Sia Edward Speaker image
Sophia Pahulayan Speaker image
Stella Waruingi Speaker image
Sue Baker Speaker image
Taha Sabri Speaker image
Urvita Bhatia Speaker image
Veronica Cho Speaker image
Victoria Ngo Speaker image
Wendy Wang Speaker image
Wessam Elnahry Speaker image
Wilfredo Sy Jr. Speaker image
Yvette Kong Speaker image
Zane Muwanguzi Speaker image
Zeinab Hijazi Speaker image

Countdown

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:
hours
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minutes
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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! 

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
9:05 AM
- 5:45 PM
03
8:45 AM
- 9:15 AM
Iloilo City Convention Center
10:00 AM
- 10:30 AM
Iloilo City Convention Center
10:30 AM
- 11:15 AM
Iloilo City Convention Center
11:15 AM
- 12:30 PM
Iloilo City Convention Center
12:30 PM
- 1:45 PM
Iloilo City Convention Center
2:00 PM
- 3:00 PM
Iloilo City Convention Center
3:15 PM
- 4:15 PM
Iloilo City Convention Center
4:15 PM
- 5:00 PM
Iloilo City Convention Center
04
8:45 AM
- 9:05 AM
Iloilo City Convention Center
9:45 AM
- 10:45 AM
Iloilo City Convention Center
10:45 AM
- 11:15 AM
Iloilo City Convention Center
12:30 PM
- 1:45 PM
Iloilo City Convention Center
2:15 PM
- 3:00 PM
Iloilo City Convention Center
3:00 PM
- 3:15 PM
Iloilo City Convention Center
4:00 PM
- 5:00 PM
Iloilo City Convention Center
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