In an era marked by escalating mental health challenges globally, psychology must rise to the forefront as a driver of meaningful policy change. Mental health is not just an individual concern; it is a societal priority intertwined with three major pillars of the United Nations 2030 Agenda: sustainable development, peace and security and human rights; as well as fundamental to the achievement of all the specific 17 goals of the Agenda.
The International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP) has long recognized this imperative, making the application of psychological science and best practices to influence policy a cornerstone of its strategic goals. As the mental health crisis deepens, psychologists have an urgent responsibility and opportunity to harness advocacy and engage with the United Nations (UN) to advance mental health policy worldwide.

The Rising Mental Health Crisis

Troubling statistics reveal the scale of the mental health crisis worldwide. Global rates of depression and suicide are rising, exacerbated by intersecting challenges such as poverty, migration crises, and climate-induced stressors. The numbers are especially distressing among the younger generation. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the pervasive psychological distress experienced across populations, bringing mental health into sharper focus and awareness even at the highest levels at the United Nations, leading to policy briefs by the UN Secretary-General and several historic UN Resolutions. Despite this growing need, resources remain inadequate, leaving ongoing treatment gap. Insufficient government funding, a lack of supportive policy frameworks, and an overburdened mental health workforce all contribute to hindering the capacity of governments and civil society to address this global challenge effectively.

Psychology is uniquely positioned to provide solutions. Our field’s evidence-based methods and insights into human behavior can inform policies that are both effective and equitable. However, translating this potential into policy impact requires active engagement and both creative and intensive advocacy at every level.

Advocacy: Psychology’s Missing Piece

Advocacy is a cornerstone of bridging the gap between psychological science and policy. While psychologists excel in research and practice, advocacy often remains an underutilized tool. Engaging with policymakers, stakeholders, and civil society organizations can amplify the voice of psychology in critical decision-making arenas.

Advocacy involves framing psychological insights in a language that resonates with policymakers. Data is important but insufficient alone. Stories, case studies, and compelling narratives bring the numbers to life and underscore the urgency of change. For example, highlighting how evidence-based mental health interventions have improved outcomes in specific communities can illustrate the potential for scaling these solutions.

A recent multistakeholder event at the United Nations, Programs Informing Policy About Mental Health, held on November 21, 2024, demonstrated the power of advocacy in action. Co-sponsored by IAAP and organized by Dr. Judy Kuriansky, the event convened global experts, policymakers, and civil society leaders to explore mental health within the broader context of sustainable development and human rights. Keynote addresses by UN Ambassadors, presentations by mental health practitioners and experts, as well as testimonies from persons with lived experience, highlighted the necessity of evidence-based policies and collaborative approaches to advance mental health globally. Events like this exemplify how advocacy can create impactful platforms for psychological science to shape policy.

The UN as a Vehicle for Policy Impact

The United Nations provides an unparalleled opportunity for psychologists and mental health professionals to connect with policymakers and to shape global policy. As a vehicle for international collaboration, the UN serves as a hub where multi-stakeholders from varied disciplines intersect and inform policies that impact millions.

Impressive successes in this process have been achieved over the past years, and several major steps are recently of note, where psychologists, and specifically Dr. Kuriansky and her team played a critical role in partnership with government member states who of course “hold the pen” for drafting and adopting international policy.

The recent historic UN General Assembly resolution (A/RES/77/300) on mental health and psychosocial support is a case in point. The resolution reaffirms mental health as integral to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda, particularly SDG 3 on health and well-being, while also emphasizing the need to address stigma, discrimination, and systemic barriers to mental health services. This game-changing resolution highlights the importance of a holistic, human-rights-based approach to mental health, moving beyond a biomedical model to one that values community-based care and individual autonomy.

Another very recent achievement has been the assurance of mental health and wellbeing in the “Global Digital Compact” which is part of the all-important “Pact of the Future” adopted at the recent September 2024 General Assembly.

Clearly, psychology’s engagement with the UN has already borne fruit. Milestones like the resolution described above are a testament to persistent advocacy by organizations such as IAAP. These achievements illustrate how psychology can influence global agendas when aligned with strategic partnerships and making sustained efforts.

Through the important and exciting process of setting international policies, in order to maximize their impact, psychology must actively participate in UN activities and initiatives. By engaging with the UN, psychologists can ensure that mental health and wellbeing remains a priority across interconnected areas such as education, inequality reduction, the rights of women and girls, maintenance of peace and security, preservation of the environment, reduction of poverty and hunger, and promotion of inclusive societies. These are all areas in which psychologist themselves are doing major scientific and clinical work.

The Call to Action

To truly impact mental health policy, psychology needs to embrace its role as an avid advocate and active partner. Through community engagement, research dissemination, participation in global forums, and interaction with policymakers themselves on multiple levels, psychologists can contribute to the broader effort to integrate mental health into policy frameworks.

This is a critical moment of time when mental health is gaining recognition as a public health priority, inextricable with human rights, and a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. The UN resolution (A/RES/77/300) and other recent policy advances offer a comprehensive roadmap for addressing mental health holistically, and a basis upon which to build and promote psychologists’ work. Policies are emphasizing universal access, community-based care, and the elimination of stigma and discrimination—key areas where psychology’s expertise can drive transformative change.

Looking ahead, psychology has an important opportunity to not only advance research and deliver mental health care but also to actively shape further policies that influence its broader course. By combining persistent advocacy with strategic engagement, the field can help create a healthier, more equitable world for all.