The European Union has expressed solidarity with the communities affected by the earthquake that struck Davao Oriental and nearby areas, while actively monitoring the situation to assess further assistance needs. In response to a separate recent earthquake in Cebu, the EU has released €750,000 (over Php 50 million) in humanitarian aid to provide emergency relief… [Read More]
WHO
£50 Million Investment to Advance Pioneering Mental Health Research in the UK
The UK Government has announced a £50 million investment to support groundbreaking mental health research aimed at developing more effective treatments for people living with mental health conditions. Poor mental health affects one in four people in England, with its social and economic impact costing the UK economy around £300 billion annually due to unemployment,… [Read More]
Investing in Global Solutions: Experts Urge Acting as “Good Ancestors”
Launched in February 2025, the World Bank’s Framework for Financial Incentives (FFI) provides countries with a comprehensive package of benefits—including increased financing, longer repayment periods, and lower interest rates—when their projects generate benefits that extend beyond national borders. The FFI is designed to reward middle-income countries for scaling up investments in pandemic preparedness, biodiversity conservation,… [Read More]
Enhancing Mental Health Support During Crises Across Africa
Brazzaville – The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with African countries to integrate mental health and psychosocial support into every stage of emergency response, with the goal of having at least 80% of countries equipped with functional systems by 2030. This initiative addresses the growing mental health needs that arise from public health emergencies,… [Read More]
Africa Faces Mental Health Crisis: 150 Million Affected, Care Services Insufficient
Brazzaville — Nearly 150 million people in Africa live with mental health conditions, yet access to decentralized and integrated care remains extremely limited, underscoring the continent’s ongoing mental health challenges. A new mental health dashboard launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa highlights the prevalence of conditions such as depression, anxiety,… [Read More]
Uganda Scales Up Mental Health Support for Ebola Survivors
Aisha Nangobi, a 29-year-old midwife and mother of two in Uganda, faced immense adversity when her husband became the first confirmed case in the 2025 Ebola outbreak and died within ten days. Nangobi herself tested positive, and shortly after, her 18-month-old son also contracted the virus. She describes the experience as psychologically, physically, and mentally… [Read More]
Public Health Perspective Boosts Nigeria’s Mental Health Response
Over the past three years, Nigeria has made significant strides in mental health policy and programmes, guided by Dr. Tunde Massey-Ferguson Ojo, psychiatrist and National Mental Health Programme coordinator. His guiding principle, “There is no health without mental health,” underpins a renewed national effort to integrate mental health into public health strategies. Key achievements include… [Read More]
Mental Health Crisis Among Healthcare Workers Strains Europe’s Health Systems
A landmark survey conducted by WHO/Europe in collaboration with the European Commission, coinciding with World Mental Health Day, analyzed nearly 100,000 responses from healthcare workers across 29 countries between October 2024 and April 2025. The study found that doctors and nurses are working under conditions that severely harm their mental health, with implications not only… [Read More]
Girls Leading Change: Voices of Boldness and Resilience in a World in Crisis
Senior UN officials and young advocates marked the International Day of the Girl Child with declarations, dialogue, and a show of solidarity for girls whose voices have been silenced, particularly in Afghanistan and other crisis-affected regions. Sixteen-year-old Nafisa from Ghana shared the story of a friend forced to leave school due to conflict but who… [Read More]
Celebrating World Mental Health Day 2025: Prioritizing Mental Health for All
Every year on 10 October, World Mental Health Day offers an important platform for raising awareness about mental health and mobilizing support to make mental health care accessible worldwide, recognizing it as a fundamental human right. The theme for 2025, “Providing mental health support and services during times of disaster and crisis,” highlights the impact… [Read More]
UNDP Reports Rising Mental Health Challenges for Myanmar’s Youth Amid Conflict
New York, 10 October 2025 – UNDP’s latest report, “A Generation on Edge: Youth Safety and Well-being in Myanmar”, warns that prolonged insecurity, economic hardship, displacement, and fear are severely undermining both human security and the mental health of Myanmar’s young people. The report finds that nearly one in seven youth — about 2.5 million… [Read More]
Germany Receives €3 Million EU Funding to Help 915 Displaced Employees
On Wednesday, the European Parliament approved EU aid for 915 former Goodyear employees in Hanau and Fulda, Germany. With 577 votes in favour, 47 against, and 15 abstentions, MEPs endorsed Germany’s request for €3,085,166 from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to support those laid off following the closure of Goodyear’s tyre… [Read More]
Belgium Workers Receive €900,000+ EU Funding to Boost Employment Support
On Wednesday, the European Parliament approved EU aid for workers affected by the closure of Belgian chip manufacturer BelGaN. With 578 votes in favor, 47 against, and 16 abstentions, Parliament endorsed Belgium’s request for €931,690 from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to support 417 employees who lost their jobs following the… [Read More]
Alarming Human Rights Abuses Reported in Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, and China
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three emergency resolutions addressing human rights concerns in Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, and China. In Equatorial Guinea, MEPs condemned serious human rights violations, including torture, inhumane prison conditions, political persecution, and restrictions on freedom of expression under Teodoro Obiang’s regime. The Parliament highlighted the arbitrary detention of Spanish citizens Javier… [Read More]
Urgent Appeal: Unblock Humanitarian Aid and Address Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan
The European Parliament has called for urgent action to ensure humanitarian aid reaches all earthquake victims in Afghanistan, particularly in the Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, where restrictive gender policies by the Taliban are obstructing relief efforts. In a resolution adopted by 504 votes in favor, 74 against, and 30 abstentions, MEPs emphasized the need to… [Read More]
PAHO and OAS Partner to Advance Mental Health Awareness During Inter-American Mental Health Week
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Organization of American States (OAS) are marking the first-ever Inter-American Mental Health Week during the second week of October, focusing on the theme “Empower, Connect, Care: Strengthening Child and Youth Mental Health in the Americas.” The initiative highlights the importance of addressing mental health challenges in children… [Read More]
India–Africa Scholarship Scheme Africa Launch Set for Osun, Backed by $500 Million Trust Fund
The Osun State Government in Nigeria will host the African launch of the annual India–Africa Scholarship Scheme, which offers over 10,000 awards, alongside the inauguration of the $500 million International–Africa Scholarship Trust Fund (IASTF). This follows the initiative’s global debut in New Delhi in March 2025 and reflects a growing partnership between India and Africa… [Read More]
Women Entrepreneurs in Africa Face Funding Gaps in the Green Economy
Michelle Lingam’s experience as a solar installation entrepreneur in Africa highlights a persistent challenge: women-led businesses, despite being crucial for climate action, face systemic barriers to formal financing. Lingam found that banks routinely rejected her loan applications due to insufficient collateral—a common obstacle for new ventures lacking substantial assets. Her struggles mirror those of many… [Read More]
Mental Health in India: 197 Million People Need Help – What’s Missing
India faces a mounting mental health crisis, with nearly 197 million people—about one in seven—living with some form of mental disorder, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Depression and anxiety alone affect over 90 million individuals, yet access to professional support remains extremely limited, leaving a significant portion of the population without adequate… [Read More]
£X Funding to Help Residents in Brighton & Hove and West Sussex Into Work
West Sussex County Council, in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, has secured a £15.6 million grant from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to deliver the Connect to Work programme. This new employment initiative, rolling out across England and Wales, aims to help up to 100,000 people nationally, including 3,950 residents in… [Read More]
New £1M Funding Establishes Connector Project for Transatlantic Slavery Studies
National Museums Liverpool has been awarded a £1 million grant to launch the Connector project, a new initiative aimed at establishing an international network for researching the history and legacies of transatlantic slavery. The project seeks to bring together museums, heritage organisations, universities, creative practitioners, businesses, and community groups from around the world to foster… [Read More]
At Least 20 Dead in El Fasher Mosque and Hospital Attacks in Sudan
On Thursday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group attacked a Saudi hospital and a local mosque in El Fasher on Tuesday and Wednesday, where displaced families had sought refuge. The Saudi hospital, described as the last functioning medical facility in the city,… [Read More]
Philippines Mental Health Advocate: Emmanuel’s Inspiring Journey
Jesus Emmanuel A. D. Sevilleja, an epidemiologist at the National Center for Mental Health in the Philippines, describes the mental health sector as both a scientific challenge and a human mission, emphasizing its role in promoting equity, empowerment, and human rights. His work focuses on generating evidence about the burden, risk factors, and outcomes of… [Read More]
