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Divya Sharma : Building a Global Network of Mental Health Advocates
Divya is our Global Mental Health Action Network Officer based in London, UK
The team at United for Global Mental Health are based around the globe and are diverse, passionate and knowledgeable individuals colleagues who bring a range of skills and experience to the fight to make sure mental health support is accessible to everyone, everywhere without stigma or restrictions. Find out a little bit more from some of our team about working in global mental health.
Why did you want to join UnitedGMH?
Stigma and discrimination around mental health are still huge issues in South Asian communities in the UK. Mental health is a taboo subject and often seen as something shameful as it is perceived as being a poor reflection of the family and community. This perception stops people from getting the support they need. There’s still so much work to do to create safe spaces for open conversations and challenge stigma – both from the community and within ourselves. That’s what brought me to United for Global Mental Health (UnitedGMH).
What have you most enjoyed since you joined?
I’ve loved meeting our incredible GMHAN members at our Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum (Advocacy Forum). It is incredibly inspiring to be in a room with changemakers working at all levels, often in completely different contexts, and finding synergies and commonalities as we work toward our collective mission of improving mental health for all. There’s nothing quite like the energy at the Advocacy Forum!
What is the most challenging part of your role?
Working across different time zones, cultures, and digital spaces isn’t always easy, but we’re committed to creating platforms where people can connect, share their expertise, and turn advocacy into action. Increasing engagement in underrepresented regions and removing barriers to participation are key priorities as we work to make our network truly global. We’re always finding new ways to collaborate and ensure every voice is heard!
What advice would you give others wanting to work in global mental health?
Join GMHAN! We’re always sharing job listings, opportunities for collaboration, and insights from mental health organisations around the world. It’s an amazing way to connect with experts, learn from people working in different contexts, and find opportunities to make an impact.