High-impact participation at the 6th Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit held in Doha, Qatar on 30 September – 1 October marked a significant milestone for global mental health. The summit brought together health ministers, policymakers, researchers, and mental health advocates from around the world to discuss pressing challenges and innovative solutions in mental health care. Learn more about the summit.
The summit opened with addresses from notable leaders, including Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization; and HE Mansoor Bin Ebrahim, Qatar’s Minister of Public Health. A key highlight was the session “Digital Mental Health Innovations to Healthcare Integration for Service Users,” which featured presentations from international experts including Dr. Ken Carswell (WHO), Dr. Rabih Chammay (Lebanon), Marit Sijbrandij (Netherlands), Grace Gatera (Rwanda), Dr. Samya Ahmed Al Abdulla (Qatar), Simon Vasseur-Bacle (France), Dr. Anis Dridi (Qatar), and eMHIC representatives.
The presentation on “Emerging Global Strategy and Policy Landscape” was delivered by eMHIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Anil Thapliyal, and emphasized how digital mental health solutions can expand access and improve care worldwide. Delegates included representatives from the UN, WHO, UNICEF, Red Cross, Wellcome Trust, and governments from India, the Netherlands, USA, Canada, England, the Philippines, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, Lebanon, Rwanda, Pakistan, and more. The overarching theme of the summit—“Transforming Mental Health through Investment, Innovation, and Digital Solutions”—underscored the critical role of technology in achieving timely, personalized, and equitable mental health care.
One of the most moving moments was hearing Grace Gatera from Rwanda, whose story highlighted both the challenges of delivering mental health support in resource-limited settings and the opportunities that digital technologies provide for timely access.
From our workshop, which engaged over 50 expert international delegates, two key priorities emerged:
1. Strategic Investment and Policy Development
There is an urgent need for comprehensive digital mental health strategies backed by rigorous research. These strategies should include frameworks, standards, and accreditation systems to ensure solutions are scalable, sustainable, and safe.
2. Co-Creation with People with Lived Experience
Digital mental health solutions must be developed in collaboration with those who have lived experience to ensure relevance, accessibility, and impact.
The 6th Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit reinforced a clear message: it is time to act. Investment, innovation, and digital strategies are essential to transforming mental health care and expanding access for all.
