Mental Health
Policy Desk

Mental Health
policy desk

UNITE’s Mental Health Policy Desk, launched in September 2025, is a platform supporting the development, review, and promotion of mental health policies and legislative frameworks. Its work is aligned with the WHO guidance Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation: Guidance and Practice (2023) and focuses on the Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP), through technical and political analysis, structured parliamentary engagement, collaboration with national WHO offices, and multi-stakeholder processes. The initiative runs until December 2027, ensuring the sustainability, monitoring, and visibility of implemented actions.

where

we act

Objectives

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Map landscape
Identify key stakeholders and analyze existing mental health policies and legislation
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Build partnerships
Establish collaboration with WHO country offices and other technical institutions
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Facilitate dialogue
Organize multi-stakeholder discussions to align priorities and generate actionable recommendations
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Develop policy solutions
Support the creation of evidence-based legislative proposals, recommendations, and oversight tools
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Support policymakers
Provide technical assistance to parliamentarians on legislative initiatives, questions, and policy reviews
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Drive advocacy and action
Organize targeted advocacy efforts and high-level meetings to achieve measurable political impact
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Strenghten capacity
Deliver ongoing training and capacity-building for parliamentarians and decision-makers on mental health
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Monitor impact
Track progress, ensure visibility of results, and support long-term implementation through 2027
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launch of

policy desk

The Mental Health Policy Desk was officially launched on 26 September 2025 at the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations in New York, during the 80th UN General Assembly.

key

partners

Chevron’s sponsorship of UNITE’s Mental Health Policy Desk exemplifies a committed approach to mental health as a critical pillar of global health and the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

In her message to celebrate the desk’s Launch, Dr. Huma Abbasi perfectly summarized the importance of Chevron’s collaboration with UNITE. Given that people spend much of their waking hours at their workplace, it becomes a key environment for workers physical and mental well-being.
Employers must prioritize healthy work environments to avoid the repercussions of poor mental health, such as decreased employee satisfaction, lost productivity, absenteeism, and turnover.

Dr. Abbasi also highlighted Chevron’s dedication to fostering a mentally healthy workforce, which has earned the company:

  • Three consecutive Platinum Bell Seal awards from Mental Health America;
  • Being named among the top 10 health workplaces by the Global Center for Healthy Workplaces.

Chevron’s commitment to employee mental health and work-life balance is evident. At UNITE, supported by Chevron, we aim to catalyse political momentum, promote legislative reforms, and secure sustainable investments in mental health systems, reinforcing our shared dedication to advancing SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work).

If your organization is interested in supporting the work of our Mental Health Policy Desk, please reach out to our Desk’s Lead, Lídia Biai lidia.biai@unitenetwork.org

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who

championed

More than 50 participants joined the High-Level Multisectoral Meeting, bringing together representatives from government, parliament, international organizations, civil society, and the global health community. 

The following list highlights the distinguished high-level attendees who contributed to the discussions and strategic exchanges throughout the meeting: 

Dr. Jorge Figueiredo (Minister of Health of Cape Verde); 

Dr. Ussene Isse (Minister of Health of Mozambique); 

H.E. Anne-Claire Amprou (French Ambassador for Global Health, Chair of the Executive Board of Unitaid); 

Dr. Ana Povo (Portuguese Secretary of State for Health); 

H.E. Jorge Aranda (Deputy Permanent Representative of Portugal at the United Nations); 

Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite (Founder and President of UNITE);

Dr. Mariam Jashi (UNITE Board Member; Chapter Chair for Eastern Europe & Central Asia; CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance); 

Dr. Guilherme Duarte (Executive Director of UNITE);  

Dr. Devora Kestel (Director of Noncommunicable (NCDs) and Mental Health at the WHO); 

Dr. Guillaume Dedet (Senior Health Economist of Employment Labour and Social Affairs at the OECD). 

CURRENT WORK IN CAPE VERDE

The working group operates across three complementary levels.

The Extended Group provides strategic guidance and ensures political and technical alignment among participating institutions, while the Operational Group conducts the technical review of the 2013 Mental Health Law to produce evidence-based recommendations to the existing framework. In parallel, the Citizen Participation Group develops methodologies to consult the population and ensure that community perspectives are reflected throughout the process.

The conclusions generated through this multi-level process will support the definition of priority indicators for legislative impact to be pursued in Cape Verde.

AT A GLANCE

THE BIG PICTURE

WHAT MATTERS MOST

Minds in Action

Leadership and Mental Health in the PALOP

  • Date: 24 October 2025 
  • Location: Praia, Cape Verde 

The meeting brought together parliamentarians, government representatives, civil society, academia, and international partners, creating a platform for regional dialogue and cooperation on mental health. High-level attendees included the WHO Representative in Cape Verde (1st), the First Lady of Cape Verde (2nd), and the Cooperation Attaché of the Embassy of Portugal in Cape Verde (3rd).  

Parliamentarians involved:
    • Hon. Adelsia Almeida (PAICV, Cape Verde)
    • Hon. António Fernandes (PAICV, Cape Verde)
    • Hon. Paula Moeda (PAICV, Cape Verde)
    • Hon. Elisângela dos Santos (MpD, Cape Verde)
    • Hon. Zilda Oliveira (UCID, Cape Verde)
    • Hon. Filomena D’Alva (São Tomé and Príncipe)
    • Hon. Salimato Sanhá (Guinea-Bissau)
    • Hon. Miguel Costa Matos (Portugal)
    Institutions represented:
    • WHO Country Office in Cape Verde 
    • Cape Verde Association of Psychologists
    • Dr. Jacob Vicente Psychological Care Center
    • Embassy of Portugal in Cape Verde
    • Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    • National Directorate of Health (Cape Verde)
    • Jean Piaget University of Cape Verde
    • University of Santiago
    • ANIMA Psychology and Wellbeing Clinic

    TECHNICAL AND LEGISLATIVE MAPPING

    The Mental Health Policy Desk is currently completing the initial technical and legislative mapping in each country to support future political engagement. This work includes analysing the legislative framework, assessing existing mental health programmes, and mapping key institutional and parliamentary actors. 

    in

    Cape Verde

    0
    Partners
    0
    Members of Parliament

    510

    Members

    TECHNICAL AND LEGISLATIVE MAPPING

    The Mental Health Policy Desk is currently completing the initial technical and legislative mapping in each country to support future political engagement. This work includes analysing the legislative framework, assessing existing mental health programmes, and mapping key institutional and parliamentary actors. 

    in

    Mozambique

    0
    Partners
    0
    Members of Parliament

    510

    Members

    TECHNICAL AND LEGISLATIVE MAPPING

    The Mental Health Policy Desk is currently completing the initial technical and legislative mapping in each country to support future political engagement. This work includes analysing the legislative framework, assessing existing mental health programmes, and mapping key institutional and parliamentary actors. 

    in

    São Tomé and Príncipe

    0
    Partners
    0
    Members of Parliament

    510

    Members

    TECHNICAL AND LEGISLATIVE MAPPING

    The Mental Health Policy Desk is currently completing the initial technical and legislative mapping in each country to support future political engagement. This work includes analysing the legislative framework, assessing existing mental health programmes, and mapping key institutional and parliamentary actors. 

    in

    Angola

    0
    Partners
    0
    Members of Parliament

    510

    Members