WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the UNGA Side event No Health Without Mental Health – 23 September 2025

Your Excellency First Lady Olena Zelenska,

Former President Michelle Bachelet,

Honourable Minister Aaron Motsoaledi,

Honourable Secretary Teodoro Herbosa,

Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya,

Excellencies, dear colleagues and friends,

It was here at UNGA seven years ago that I first used the expression "no health without mental health", and I've been using it ever since.

Back then, it was a catchy slogan. Step by step, it has become a reality.

As you know, this week's high-level meeting is the fourth on non-communicable diseases, but for the first time, it's the high-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases - AND mental health.

It's about time.

And mental health is not just included in the name of the meeting; it's included in the ambitious targets in the draft political declaration, specifically in the target to see 150 million more people with access to mental health care by 2030.

Achieving that target will require both political and financial commitment, in at least four areas.

First, we need investment to address the social determinants of mental health.

That means policies to address barriers to better mental health, including poverty, violence, inequalities, and discrimination.

Creating safe online spaces and moderating harmful digital content are also critical.

Second, we need investment in rights-based mental health support, including a decisive shift away from institutionalized care towards community-based care.

Mental health systems must uphold human rights, promote holistic care and population-wide well-being, and include people with lived experience in the creation of policy and programmes.

Third, we need investments in preventing suicide.

Suicide claims almost 730,000 lives every year, and it's a leading cause of death among young people across all countries and income groups.

In the Sustainable Development Goals, countries set a target to reduce the global suicide rate by one-third by 2030. But as things stand, we will only achieve a 12% reduction.

Suicide must be decriminalised everywhere, to reduce stigma and allow people to seek care.

And fourth, we need investment in child and youth mental health.

One in seven 10- to 19-year-olds experience mental health conditions.

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of some the measures taken to prevent its spread, had a significant impact on mental health for young people.

WHO estimates that depression and anxiety increased by 25% in young people, and in women in particular.

We need multisectoral efforts that promote strong mental health and inclusion for young people, new parents, and caregivers.

We need school-based programmes that counter bullying and violence and provide psychosocial support and social connection both online and offline.

WHO calls on governments and global partners to act on the commitments set out in the Political Declaration and intensify efforts toward systemic transformation of mental health systems.

Mental health services - like all health services - should not be a privilege or a luxury, but a basic right for all.

Because as I said seven years ago, there is no health without mental health.

I thank you.