Mental Health and Social Connection

WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION,
L’ASSOCIATION MEDICALE MONDIALE,
ASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL,
Centre International de Bureaux
Immeuble A “Keynes” Website : www.wma.net Postal Address :
13, chemin du Levant Telephone : (33) 4 50 40 75 75 Boîte Postale 63
01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Fax : (33) 4 50 40 59 37 01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Cedex
France E-mail address : wma@wma.net France
78th
WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
May 2025
Pillar 1: One billion more people benefiting from universal health coverage
Mental health and social connection (item 13.2)
Honourable Chair, Distinguished Delegates,
In the wake of growing social isolation, the World Medical Association reaffirms that mental
health, and the social connections that underpin it, are foundational to universal health coverage and
resilient systems. We stress the urgency of integrating accessible, high-quality mental health
services into primary healthcare, as part of a multi-sectoral collaboration. The expansion of
community mental health services must be a priority, with a focus on access for marginalised
populations and reducing stigma.
As affirmed in the WMA Declaration of Lisbon, “every patient has the right to continuity of health
care,” encompassing mental, social, and physical health. We stand ready to partner with WHO
Commission on Social Connection to make mental health central to global health programmes.
Thank you