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We strongly encourage psychology and mental to renew and reinforce their commi�ed to ad-
health-related training programs—and related dressing NCDs and mental health challenges –
health disciplines—to include the Comprehen- through stronger whole-of-government and
sive Mental Health Ac�on Plan and the World whole-of society collabora�on, and by resha-
Mental Health Report (note the updated data ping health systems, suppor�ng sustainable fi-
chapter, WHO 2025) as core texts in at least nancing mechanisms, and tackling the underly-
one of their courses and to prominently feature ing social, economic, commercial and environ-
them in their training programs. We consider mental drivers of risk and inequi�es. (WHO,
both of these items to be "Global Mental He- 2025c)
alth bookends" that help to shape and support
the growing efforts across sectors and se�ngs, Review the Poli�cal Declara�on from the HLM4
countries and cultures, to impact the mental in which “mental health” is men�oned over 50
health and wellbeing of all people especially �mes in this 15-page document (United Na�-
the most vulnerable and neglected. A third ons General Assembly, 2025—final version
highly-recommended resource is Mental He- HERE). Note also the previous United Na�ons
alth for Sustainable Development: A Topic General Assembly Resolu�on on Mental Health
Guide for Development Professionals (K4D and Psychosocial Support (United Na�ons,
Emerging Issues Report, 2020). 2023), the Declara�on of Alma Ata (WHO and
UNICEF, 2018), World Menal Health Day 2025
Going further: The Fourth United Na�ons Ge- (World Federa�on for Mental Health, 2025),
neral Assembly High-Level Mee�ng (HLM4) has and Psychology Day at the United Na�ons (Psy-
a special focus on Non-Communicable Diseases chology Coali�on at the United Na�ons, 2025)
(NCDs) and the Promo�on of Mental Health
and Wellbeing (25 September 2025) (WHO, See also: Transforming Mental Health for All,
2025c). This United Na�ons mee�ng “marks a Global Integra�on Update (Member Care Asso-
unique, decennial opportunity to adopt a new, ciates, July 2022); Mental Health and Wellbeing
ambi�ous and achievable poli�cal declara�on for All, Global Integra�on Update (Member
on NCDs and mental health condi�ons towards Care Associates, October 2021a); and Mental
2030 and beyond. Building on evidence and Health for All–Me Too! Bringing Our Mental He-
grounded in human rights, the declara�on will alth into the Light, Global Integra�on Update
form the core framework to accelerate global (Member Care Associates, October 2019).
NCD preven�on and control from 2025” (WHO,
2025c). Further: Agenda 3: Agenda for Humanity
The global efforts to strengthen and revamp
Halfway to 2030, progress towards achieving humanitarian assistance is summarized in One
SDG target 3.4 [WHO, 2025b] and reducing pre- Humanity: Shared Responsibility (United Na�-
mature mortality from NCDs by one third ons, 2016b). This document, with its “Agenda
through preven�on and treatment and the pro- for Humanity” (United Na�ons, 2021), calls
mo�on of mental health and well-being are off upon the world community to rally around five
track. Underinvestment in health services has core responsibili�es on behalf of the es�mated
created a significant equity gap in care and sup- 305 million people are in need off humanitari-
port for people affected by NCDs and mental an assistance (United Na�ons, Office for the
health condi�ons. Unless urgent ac�on is Coordina�on of Humanitarian Affairs, Decem-
taken, the health of individuals, households ber, 2024).
and socie�es will be significantly affected in the
long term. The five core responsibili�es in the Agenda for
Humanity.
The global NCD burden and the urgency of pro-
mo�ng mental health and well-being are no 1. Poli�cal leadership to prevent and end con-
longer just a health system problem. HLM4 flicts. An end to human suffering requires poli-
calls upon Member States and global partners �cal solu�ons, unity of purpose and sustained
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