Over the past two years, the Global Mental Wellbeing & Substance (Mis)use Conference series has established itself as a premier forum for addressing the most pressing issues in mental health and addiction support, due in part to the lingering impact of covic-19 on economic-wellbeing and recovery efforts in communities globally. The inaugural conference in 2023 focused on “Building Bridges for Rest, Recovery and Resilience,” bringing together professionals from various sectors to discuss emerging mental health challenges and effective responses during and beyond pandemics.
The 2024 conference, “Embracing Wellness: Balancing Minds,” delved deeper into holistic care models and innovative strategies for substance misuse prevention and treatment. The 2024 conference, “Embracing Wellness: Balancing Minds,” delved deeper into holistic care models and innovative strategies for mental health, substance misuse prevention and treatment.
Attendees explored the value of integrated and inclusive mental health services that address both emotional well-being and physical health, recognizing the intricate connections between the two. They also highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in designing effective programs that cater to diverse and often underserved populations. Building on these successes, the 3rd Global Mental Wellbeing & Substance (Mis)Use Conference in 2025 will tackle the urgent topics of mental health and climate change under the theme “Heat, Health and Habits: Shaping the Future in a Changing Climate.” Rising temperatures (“Heat”), the complexities of maintaining both physical and mental well-being (“Health”), and the daily behavioral adjustments required to adapt (“Habits”) form the core nexus of this year’s discussions.
As climate change amplifies the stressors that can lead to mental health struggles and substance misuse—particularly among vulnerable populations—this event will gather experts, policymakers, community leaders, and advocates to share evidence-based strategies, foster meaningful collaborations, and shape policies that safeguard and promote global mental well-being in an era of environmental transformation. GMWS 2025, the premier knowledge-exchange platform where mental health, addiction, and the environment converge under the powerful theme “Heat, Health and Habits: Shaping the Future in a Changing Climate.”
