Mental Health, Equity, and Climate Resilience: Scaling Support Globally
Mental health is often sidelined in global agendas, overshadowed by finance, policy, and technology. Yet the human impact of climate stress, conflict, and inequality is profound — particularly for women, youth, and marginalized communities in the Global South. Addressing mental health at scale requires collaboration, investment, and community-based solutions that bridge behavioral health, resilience, and equity.
This session will explore how to integrate mental health into global climate and development strategies — from community-led interventions and maternal health initiatives to psychosocial support in climate resilience planning. Together, we’ll ask: what would it take to put mental health at the center of global well-being and systems change?
Speakers
Marie-Alix De Putter — Founder & President of Bluemind Foundation, building the fastest-growing mental health organization in Francophone Africa through system-shifting initiatives like Heal by Hair.
Nafisa Jiddawi — Founder & CEO of WAJAMAMA, advancing maternal and child health through holistic, community-based healthcare in Zanzibar and beyond.
Pauline Picho Keronyai — CEO of Nama Wellness Community Center (NAWEC), transforming community health in Uganda with CHW training and services reaching 1.5M+ people.
Dena Trujillo — CEO of Crisis Text Line, leading global 24/7 mental health support via text and integrating AI to improve service delivery.
Jessica Minhas — Founder & CEO of I’ll Go First and Story App, leveraging storytelling and behavioral health tech to support trauma recovery and PTSD care.
What to Expect
Confront overlooked intersections – Examine how climate stress and social inequity shape mental health outcomes.
Spotlight community-based models – Learn from grassroots approaches, including maternal mental health initiatives like WAJAMAMA’s Group Care Model.
Scale behavioral health globally – Discuss what it takes to expand access to mental health care through partnerships and innovation.
Reframe resilience – Explore how psychosocial support strengthens climate adaptation and community resilience.
Why Join?
Recognize mental health as a cornerstone of global equity and resilience.
Learn from community-driven models addressing maternal and climate-related mental health.
Share ideas on scaling behavioral health support across regions and contexts.
Walk away with strategies for integrating mental health into climate and development agendas.
Who Should Attend?
Mental and behavioral health practitioners and advocates.
Funders and policymakers shaping health, climate, and equity agendas.
Community leaders advancing maternal and grassroots mental health solutions.
Anyone committed to putting mental health at the center of sustainable development.