At Prospira Global we love to celebrate every brand, funder and company taking action to support mental health and end the stigma around mental health which has been prevalent for far too long.

Last year when we assessed the various World Mental Health Day campaigns and commitments companies were making, we were surprised by how hard we had to look! Not this year.

The Lancet Commission on Ending Stigma and Discrimination in Mental Health (“the Commission”) has been developed by over over 50 global experts, and includes powerful quotes, poems and testimonies that bring this issue to life.

The Commission makes a compelling and clear case for us all to act, including private sector actors.

Below are our five key takeaways for private sector actors.

The WHO Guidelines On Mental Health At Work released today provide a comprehensive overview of evidence-based recommendations on interventions that can be implemented to better prevent, protect and promote, and support the mental health of workers.

These comprehensive guidelines have been developed following a systematic review of evidence worldwide by a wide consortium of experts, led by the World Health Organization, funded by The Wellcome Trust.

What role does mental health have to play in women’s empowerment?

Although previous research has noted that mental health and empowerment are closely aligned facets of a woman’s life, this relationship has not been extensively or clearly documented. Until now.

In this research, released by Kate Spade New York in partnership with Prospira Global at Women Deliver in Kigali July 2023, we explore the state of women’s empowerment and mental health; highlighting research and sharing a case study that demonstrates the integral role mental health has to play in a woman’s empowerment journey.

WHO’S World Mental Health Report: Transforming Mental Health For All, which is being released on 17 June 2022, provides the most comprehensive overview of the state of mental health to date. It clearly explains why and where change is needed, and provides practical recommendations to improve mental health for all. The report provides insights into not only what to fund, but also how.

Prospira Global, with WHO’s support, has developed this briefing on the report for philanthropic funders.

Mental health has held a small spot on the World Economic Forum's Davos agenda for the past few years, with both formal events, and side events focussed on the issue.

In the article below we outline our top three private sector led activations from Davos this year. Including UpLink - World Economic Forum and Salesforce's community led innovations challenge; The Global Alliance for YOUth's exclusive survey and the fascinating findings (mental health and otherwise) from Deloitte's Gen Z and Millennial survey.

Are you set up to receive donations from major philanthropic donors? In this blog you will find practical tips to ensure your charity is sharing enough information to receive 'cold approach' donations.

In this blog series our team at Prospira Global have put together some top tips for non-profits engaging with companies and philanthropists, based on our past experience in raising funds for charities, and our current work in advising donors on their philanthropic giving.

The second blog in this series focuses on building effective resources that will make working with businesses more strategic and efficient.

While historically mental health, especially global mental health, has not been a top priority for corporate giving, this is starting to change. With this change it’s essential that charities seeking to secure this growing corporate funding are set up for success.

Are you a charity seeking to increase your fundraising income from businesses? In this blog series our team at Prospira Global have put together some top tips for engaging with companies based on our past experience in raising funds for charities, and our current work in advising donors on their philanthropic giving.

The three different engagement types listed below each come with their own expectations, and realities, including pros and cons for both yourself and the company you are working with.

Now more than ever it is clear how critical supporting the mental health of young people is, and the role that the private sector has to play in creating change. That is why we are delighted that our Founder and CEO, Elisha London, is joining the Rare Beauty Mental Health Council.

Elisha will be joining Elyse Fox, Gretchen Rubin, Jennifer Cohen, Kit Hayes, Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Marc Brackett, Mary Alberti, Nikki Eslami, Scott Rauch, Tramaine EL-Amin and more on the Council.

As we look back on this year of great highs and lows, huge expectations and burgeoning possibilities, it feels vital to pause and reflect on some of the progress we have seen in the mental health space.

Whilst there have been numerous headlines hitting the pages about mental health, with global celebrities and sports personalities such as Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles breaking down stigma and speaking out, it poses the question; what actions are taking place beyond the increased conversation.

Giving Tuesday provides the perfect opportunity for us all to consider how and what we give.

The article below by our CEO Elisha London draws on the World Health Organization Mental Health Atlas to give five important insights into giving to mental health.

Both the attendance and discussion at this year’s summit demonstrated clearly that mental health truly is moving from the margins to the mainstream.

With so many competing priorities for business, how can we keep the momentum going and integrate mental health as a strategic priority across the whole business?

Most companies now understand they can no longer continue without a holistic approach to sustainability and climate action. And, if they don’t, they are called out for it. The mental health movement has much to learn from this progress that is being made on climate action.

Why is a holistic approach important when it comes to mental health in business?

This World Mental Health Day saw companies marking the day with campaigns and new announcements. From announcing comprehensive, holistic workplace mental health programmes, to philanthropic gifts, and announcing new partnerships with charities who are working so hard to address the global mental health crisis, it was heartening to see new commitments made by the private sector.

Below are some of the best business initiatives and announcements that stood out to us.

New data released by the World Health Organization today shows that our world has only met one of the #mentalhealth goals all countries agreed and set to achieve by 2020.

Action needs to accelerate faster rate than ever before if these goals (now extended by 10 years to 2030) are to be met. Governments must match intent with action, and urgent support from the private sector and philanthropy is needed like never before to accelerate action and help bridge the gap, especially for the world's most vulnerable.