Bridging the Mental Health Funding Gap: Scaling Community-Led and Systems-Level Solutions

​The global mental health crisis demands urgent, cross-sector collaboration to bridge funding gaps and scale sustainable, community-driven solutions. Despite growing awareness, mental health remains underfunded, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where marginalized and vulnerable youth often lack access to care. How can we mobilize hybrid financing models, integrate mental health into education, public health, and policy, and support locally-led movements that ensure long-term impact?

​This session will explore how philanthropy, blended finance, and government partnerships can fund systems-level mental health interventions. We will discuss embedding Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into education, training community health workers, and advancing culturally adapted mental health solutions that meet local needs. Participants will also examine strategies for ensuring mental health is recognized as a key pillar of development, alongside climate, gender, and economic justice.

​Key Questions:

• ​How can philanthropy and hybrid financing models address the funding gap in mental health?

• ​What are the most effective community-driven mental health solutions, and how can they be scaled?

• ​How can Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools act as a key intervention for youth mental health?

• ​What role do community health workers and local governments play in expanding mental health access?

• ​How can mental health be integrated into education, public health, and global development efforts?

​This discussion will bring together funders, policymakers, mental health practitioners, and educators to explore how we can move beyond short-term interventions and build a globally connected, sustainably funded mental health movement.

​Session Co-Leaders:

• ​Christie Civetta – Founder of Be Lumin, helping global health orgs scale by blending strategy and storytelling. Focused on mental and reproductive health investment.

• ​Francesca Raoelison – Founder of Omena, empowering youth with SEL to prevent emotional abuse. Echoing Green Fellow and Forbes 30 Under 30.

• ​Moira Hennessey – Clinical psychologist and board member at WAJAMAMA, building resilience and community-led mental health solutions for maternal and child care in sub-Saharan Africa.

• ​Steve Leventhal – CEO of WorldBeing, scaling mental health solutions for marginalized youth in low- and middle-income countries.