The Global Alliance on the International Stage
So what is the Global Alliance doing on the international stage?
The Global Alliance’s unique action-oriented focus at the intersection of behavioral health, social justice, and human rights is critical to our ongoing work championing mental health and well-being. But how does that play out on the international stage? As the world recognizes Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, a day that mobilizes stakeholders to call for strong, equitable health systems that leave no one behind, we wanted to share what we have been working on in 2021.
The Global Alliances’ participation in major meetings throughout 2021 included:
- Advocating for mental health inclusion at the 74th World Health Assembly Listening Session held by the US State Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more from our written statement and speaking points, as well as a blog on An Intern’s Experience at the 74th WHA-USDHHS Stakeholder Listening Session.
- Promoting the inclusion of mental health and psychosocial support into HIV programming at the United Nations High Level Meeting (UN HLM) on HIV/AIDS. Read our policy resolution and 4 part blog series to learn more.
- Engaging with like-minded organizations at the UN High Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals (UNHLPF on SDG’s) led by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
- Recommending the inclusion of mental health in emergency preparedness at the US State Department Health and Human Services’ Listening Session on Strengthening World Health Organization (WHO) Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies. Learn more about the comments we made by reading our written statement.
- Hosting a virtual side event for the United Nations General Assembly/World Mental Health Day Activities, that was selected as a UN Top Pick! Watch How Right Now: Supporting Mental Health for All to learn more about reaching populations at high risk who are facing adverse mental health challenges due to COVID-19 and read the blog about the importance of community engagement.
- Collaborating with civil society actors to advance our priorities. Our relationships with the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM), United Nations NGO Major Group and United for Global Mental Health (Global Mental Health Action Network) have been critical to advancing the inclusion of mental health and well-being in UHC.
As we reflect on our efforts this past year, we recognize that there is so much work to be done in advancing behavioral health, social justice, and human rights. Get in touch, get involved, and stay tuned to learn more about our upcoming program of work, leading us to our 100th year of action!