The 156th session of the WHO Executive Board ran from 3-11 February this year, with the aim of advancing universal health coverage, addressing health emergencies, and improving global well-being. IASP is pleased to note that mental health and social connection were featured as a separate provisional agenda item in the Executive Board, acknowledging the impact of social isolation on anxiety, depression, and suicide. The WHO Executive Board meetings play a vital role in shaping global health policies and implementing the decisions and policies of the World Health Assembly. As mental health has historically been underfunded and overlooked, conversations on mental health and suicide prevention in global forums are important to provide an opportunity for world leaders to acknowledge its significance and commit to tangible change.
In his opening remarks, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged the importance of expanding access to equitable health services and urged member states to work towards achieving “the highest attainable standard of health not as a luxury for some, but a right for all”. The progress and challenges in managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, oral health, and mental health were also discussed and the need for accelerated global coordination was highlighted throughout the meeting. Several countries expressed their commitment to expanding health financing and social protection based on the principles of solidarity and equity and implementing sustainable policies. Only by taking such decisive action can we reverse the situation where more than half of the global population still lacks access to basic health services, including mental health and suicide prevention.
As mental health challenges continue to escalate worldwide, exacerbated by the impacts of conflict, economic instability, and social inequalities, it is crucial that global leaders recognise the urgency of comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention strategies. During the meeting, IASP supported the constituency statements on agenda item 15 WHO’s Work in Health Emergencies, agenda item 6 Universal Health Coverage, and agenda item 22 Climate change and health. Through these statements, we hoped to ensure that mental health and suicide prevention remained a priority within conversations around universal health coverage, prevention of NCDs, and climate change mitigation. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.4, which calls for a one-third reduction of premature mortality from NCDs and suicide by 2030, requires stronger global commitments and adequate funding for evidence-based strategies.
2025 provides unique opportunities to advance action to improve mental health policies, services and prevention worldwide. We hope these conversations will continue in such global platforms as we look towards the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly and the UN High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health in September 2025.
