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www.aves-mh.org
aves Mental Health
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History

, formally known as the Global Mental Health Peer Network (GMHPN), was founded by Charlene Sunkel, a person with lived experience of schizophrenia and a global voice for the rights of people with lived experience of mental health conditions. Aves was established in 2018 in an effort to transform mental healthcare and service delivery globally, especially in low-and-middle income countries, through lived experience leadership and expertise as the guiding principle.


Charlene Sunkel, who at the time was Principal Coordinator (2017-2019) for the Movement for Global Mental Health, launched aves Mental Health at the 5th Global Mental Health Summit.


The 5th Global Mental Health Summit, hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa in February of 2018, was themed “Leaving no one behind” as per the aspirations of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Summit incorporated a strong focus on inclusion, empowerment and human rights of people with lived experience of mental health conditions.

5th Global Mental Health Summit
Launch of aves Mental Health (formerly, Global Mental Health Peer Network) at the 5th Global Mental Health Summit

 began with a clear and compelling vision: to empower individuals with lived experience of mental health conditions worldwide. This vision was anchored by a mission to develop leadership among people with lived experience and to advocate for their integration in discussion and decision-making process, and to be colleagues in service delivery. A strong, unifying vision is fundamental in galvanizing support and action in the mental health landscape.

Our Vision

To empower experts by experience living with mental health conditions to emerge as influential agents of change who contribute significantly to reshaping global mental health narratives and transform policies worldwide.

Our Mission

  • Embedding the expertise of persons with lived experience in the development and reform of mental health policies, research, community-based care and global mental health initiatives. 
  • Collaborating with stakeholders to continue revolutionising the world of mental health to better reflect the needs of mental health care service users and their extended communities. 
  • Leading and co-leading mental health initiatives and collectively advocating calls for action in a meaningful and authentic manner.

Our methodology revolves around empowering individuals with lived experience through peer-to-peer mentorship, knowledge sharing, and support, aiming to cultivate and elevate a cohort of Experts By Experience. By harnessing the expertise of individuals with mental health conditions, GMHPN fosters their active engagement as pivotal collaborators in advancing both local and global mental health objectives.


Since our launch in 2018, our primary focus was on advocating for the inclusion of lived experience perspectives in mental health. Initially, we aimed to amplify the voices of individuals with lived experience and to promote their active involvement in decision-making processes. Over time, we evolved and our advocacy efforts strongly emphasized not only the experiential value but also the monetary worth of lived experience expertise in mental health initiatives. Recognizing the invaluable contributions of experts by experience, we shifted our focus towards advocating for fair remuneration and recognition of our expertise. Today,  serves as a vital resource for stakeholders seeking guidance on how to effectively and authentically integrate lived experience perspectives into mental health policies, programs, and practices. 

Meet Our Staff

Global Office Team

We are a dedicated team of experts by experience, committed to advancing lived experience empowerment and inclusion in global mental health

Charlene Sunkel

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Claudia Sartor

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Sandra Ferreira

Global Network Manager

Edwin Mutura
Edwin Mutura

Communications & Services Officer

Zak Martah
Zak Martah

Management Assistant

What our members are saying

Testimonials

Discover what our members have to say about their experiences with us. Our success stories are a testament to our exceptional commitment to empowerment and integrating lived experience expertise in global mental health.

“Not only is The GMHPN family very helpful but also, they are tremendously well-responsive and supportive. Our contributions are valued. I consider this community a safe community for growth. Another point I want to add is that cross cultural perspectives on mental health adds value to our learning curve. It's a key asset for personal development and growth, it definitely gave me a sense of belonging."

"I have learned so much in the short time that I have been affiliated with the orgnaization! Probably one of the most important gleanings is the fact that change at the international level is much slower than at the country or even state level (in the U.S.). The pace has been important to my involvement as I have become more patient and understanding of processes that need more time, thought, and engagement. This is hard to explain but crucial to accept. I also have felt like I've already made what could be lasting connections with the wonderful staff and members of the GMHPN. We are as some have said, a family!!"

"I'm genuinely happy about the mentorship programme and deeply grateful for the opportunity. I mostly felt like a square peg in a round hole with what I am trying to achieve in the mental health space but through the programme and the help of my mentor, I realised I'm on the right track and actively carving out a great niche for myself. I've also built a life long friendship and network through this process."

FAQ

Are you a membership-based organisation?

Although we refer to our country representatives as members, we are not a membership structured organisation. At  we recruit individuals with lived experience of a mental health condition to our Country Leadership Team where they enter an empowerment and mentorship programme, and are able to get involved in various activities and further have opportunities to become consultants for the Experts By Experience Consultancy Services unit.

If I am a person with lived experience, how can I join?

Annually we disseminate a call for applications on our website and social media platforms with listed criteria. Applications are reviewed by our Recruitment team and successful applicants are notified and onboarded.

Do you charge a fee for your Experts By Experience Consultancy Services?

Yes, our fees are determined as per our Lived Experience Remuneration Framework and based on the type of service required. Potential clients are requested to complete our EbE inquiry form so we are able to better understand what our clients' needs are. → Access the EbE inquiry form HERE

Board of Management

The Board of Management is a governing arm of aves Mental Health. The Board of Management has a chairperson, treasurer and general Board members. Each has a job description that details its duties and responsibilities as prescribed by aves Mental Health. Board members provide foresight, oversight, and insight. Each Board member is appointed on the basis of their specific set of skills and expertise that collectively add immense value to the success of aves Mental Health.
Meet our Board of Management

Annual Reports

Our financial year run from April-March, by which the organisation conducts an annual financial audit and produced an annual report to highlight the achievements of the past year. These reports are published on our website.

View our Annual Reports

Trust in our Expertise

Our Global Office team is a dynamic force, with a combined 45+ years active work experience in the mental health field, multiple recognitions and accolades, globally recognised and delivered high quality contributions to the mental health and policy development field. 

45+

COMBINED YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

8

YEARS IN EXISTENCE

300+

CONSULTANCY SERVICES DELIVERED

60+

COUNTRIES REPRESENTED