5 March 2026

Where Stories Become Change: Reflections from the Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum 2026

Liaan Papier, Molebogeng Mangoale, Sihle Tamba, Waves for Change Team

The Global Mental Health Action Network (GMHAN) Advocacy Forum took place from 2–4 February 2026 in Iloilo City, Philippines. Organised by GMHAN, the event brought together mental health advocates, policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations, and individuals with lived experience from more than 70 countries.

The forum featured keynote discussions, advocacy workshops, panel sessions, and collaborative dialogues all focused on strengthening mental health advocacy worldwide. Participants engaged in conversations on policy reform, human rights, stigma reduction, community-based care, and strategies to expand access to mental health services globally. Held in a hybrid format, the forum welcomed both in-person and virtual participants to ensure broader global inclusion.

The Forum strengthened global collaboration and advocacy efforts aimed at inclusive, community-based mental health support. By bringing together advocates, practitioners, and people with lived experience, it helped shape solutions that move beyond clinical treatment toward prevention, early intervention, and youth-centred approaches.

Centering young people:

A strong theme throughout the forum was the urgent need to prioritise youth mental health. Young people were recognised as both beneficiaries of mental health systems and leaders shaping their transformation. Discussions emphasised creating safe, supportive environments where young people can build resilience, develop emotional regulation skills, and access culturally relevant support within their communities. Peer leadership and youth participation were repeatedly highlighted as essential to building systems that truly reflect young people’s realities.

Participants gained practical advocacy skills from storytelling for impact, community mobilisation to partnership building, and policy engagement. Importantly, the forum validated lived experience as expertise, encouraging advocates and youth leaders to speak openly, influence decision-making, and contribute to global conversations. These networking opportunities create pathways for collaboration, learning exchange, and future partnerships across countries and organisations.

Why This Matters for Waves for Change

The themes of the forum felt close to home. At Waves for Change, we support young people’s mental health through surf therapy, safe relationships, play, and evidence-based psychosocial support. The conference reinforced the value of preventative community-based models that build resilience and emotional wellbeing outside traditional clinical settings. It also strengthened advocacy efforts to ensure that innovative approaches, including surf therapy, are recognised within global mental health systems as effective, accessible solutions to support adolescents, particularly in under-served communities.

During one panel discussion, a young advocate shared:

For the first time, I felt that my story mattered, that my experiences with mental health could actually shape policies and inspire change for other young people like me.”

“That moment was a powerful reminder of why advocacy and storytelling are so vital. When young people are given space to speak, their voices can influence not only programmes and policies but also the broader perception of mental health. It reinforced my passion for creating platforms where stories are heard, validated, and amplified, because true change begins when lived experiences are recognized as expertise. In the room, the energy was tangible.

Each story, each reflection, carried the weight of hope, resilience, and the possibility of a future where adolescents aren’t just recipients of support, but active change-makers. This is why I am committed to advocacy as a tool to ensure that storytelling remains a central force in empowering young people and transforming mental health spaces”Liaan Papier Communications Officer, Waves for Change.

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