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2024 Impact Report: Driving Global Change for Mental Health
In 2024, United for Global Mental Health continued driving global change to deliver better mental health for all. Our 2024 Impact Report showcases how collaboration, advocacy, and innovation helped build momentum for mental health worldwide.
Read the Report. See the Impact. Join the Movement to Transform Mental Health.
Key Highlights from 2024:
1.Decriminalising Suicide: A Caribbean Coalition for Change
Building on the decriminalisation wins in Pakistan, Ghana, Guyana, and Malaysia in 2023, in 2024 we supported the establishment of the Caribbean Regional Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Suicide. This coalition is developing national strategies to change the law, building on the support of global organisations.
“This coalition signifies a great first step in moving the Caribbean towards addressing suicide through a public health lens.”
— Desarie Nicholas, Co-chair of the Caribbean Regional Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Suicide, Grenada
2. Mental Health in Climate Action: A Global First
The climate and environmental crisis is driving rising rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma. In response, in 2024, we ensured mental health was integrated into major global climate agreements for the first time, including the 2024 World Health Assembly resolution and the Global Plan of Action on Biodiversity and Health. At COP29, we spotlighted young people’s mental health and contributed to the WHO COP29 Special Report on Climate Change and Health all supported by powerful case studies of lived experience and features in academic journals and media interviews.
3. Integrating Mental Health into HIV and TB Services
At AIDS 2024, alongside the Elton John AIDS Foundation and The Global Fund, we engaged over 1,300 attendees on the need for mental health integration and funding. We will continue to advocate for increased prioritisation of mental health in key programmatic priorities in the Global Fund’s 8th Replenishment and other global health frameworks such as the Lusaka Agenda.
4.Elevating Mental Health on the Political Agenda
We pushed mental health onto global and national agendas through high-level advocacy. Key milestones included:
- Launching the report Increase, Improve and Integrate: The Way Forward for Financing NCDs and Mental Health at the WHO World Bank Financing Dialogue.
- Co-organising the Fifth Mental Health Ministerial Summit in Argentina, where we secured endorsements for integrating mental health into climate and environmental policies.
- Launching a global campaign for World Mental Health Day with the Africa CDC, International Council of Nurses, and International Federation of Medical Students Association to address the shortage of mental health workers.
5. Championing Youth Mental Health
With partners like Being (including Fondation Botnar, Grand Challenges Canada, the Science for Africa Foundation and Orygen Global), we elevated youth mental health on local, regional, and global agendas. Highlights include:
- Supporting young people in developing the Commentary on the Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Youth Mental Health.
- Launching the Youth Mental Health Toolkit on 5 Emerging Issues in Africa with the African Union Youth Envoy.
- Publishing Empowering Futures: The Role of Youth Mental Health in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals during UNGA 2024.
6. Building the Field of Mental Health Advocacy
The Global Mental Health Action Network (GMHAN) grew to 5,251 members across 169 countries, reflecting a global commitment to mental health advocacy. In 2024, we
- Hosted the Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum 2024, with 1,500 registrations from 135 countries.
- Launched two new working groups on LGBTQ+ issues and Stigma and Discrimination.
- Secured a mental health pledge in the G20 Sustainable Financing document and launched the Children in the G20 platform.
The 2024 Impact Report demonstrates the power of partnerships to drive progress. From decriminalising suicide to integrating mental health into climate action, we’re proving that change is possible when we unite for mental health.
Download the report to explore our achievements and join us in building a better future for mental health.