Connecting leaders in mental health, disability, substance use and addictions

Global Leadership Exchange connects leaders in mental health, disability, substance use and addictions.

We create space for sharing ideas, knowledge, and best practice to help spread innovation and change lives.

Our leadership community is committed to advancing the experiences and opportunities for people with mental health, disability, substance use and addiction needs. If you have experience of playing a leading role in these fields and agree to our leadership principles, we invite you to join us. Scroll down for our mission, vision and values.

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Learn more about us

Explore more below

Group photo of panellists in Washington 2022

Our Mission & Vision

‘To connect and develop leaders globally to spread innovation and best practice to promote the mental health and well-being of people who experience mental health problems, disability, substance misuse and addiction.”

Our members come from all over the world, show immense goodwill and are committed to leading change and to learning about new or different ways of working. Some have many years of experience, and some are just starting out, and we believe we can all learn from each other.

“For me this network introduced me to international mental health care. It connects
world-wide knowledge and expertise.”

Sabien Raams, Netherlands

Our Values

Inclusivity

Promoting a sense of belonging, fairness, diversity, lived experience
Authenticity

Championing a safe, open, honest, and respectful environment
Collaboration

Engaging, listening, respecting, and inviting challenge and change
Competency

Ensuring clarity, flexibility, responsibility, and ownership
Innovation

Providing space to share, develop, learn, and evaluate
Visionary and strategic

Leading the way for mental health, substance use and disability through global views, inclusivity and establishing an empowering and future facing environment

Global Network

We are a global collaboration funded by a range of countries, including:

Australia, Canada, England, Italy, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Slovakia, Sweden, USA and Wales.

We also work in partnership with leaders from other countries and regions including: Armenia, Belgium, Germany, Kenya, Switzerland, Zambia to name a few.

We also work with a number of organizations including: MindForward Alliance, Global Mental Health Peer Network (GMHPN), United for Global Mental Health (UGMH), Pacific Behavioral Collaborating Council, Le Va, University of Auckland – Whāraurau, MHE, EUCOMMS, NASMHPD, NASDDDS, CBHL, NHS Confederation Mental Health Network.

Australia, Canada, England, Italy, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Slovakia, Sweden, USA and Wales .

“Working with GLE has been a great experience for our country. We’ve completely reversed the mindset of what we’re doing and how we’re doing it.”

Andrej Vršanský, League for Mental Health Slovakia

View our Global Network

The Australian Government
National Mental Health Commission
Government of Canada
Department of Health and Social Care England
Department of Health Northern Ireland
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VGN
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People
Health Service Executive Ireland
Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale di Bologna (AUSL Bologna)
The Scottish Government
The League for Mental Health Slovakia
Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Health and Social Care Wales

Connecting leaders in mental health, disability, substance use and addictions

Join us

Our Mission & Vision

Our Values

Inclusivity

Authenticity

Collaboration

Competency

Innovation

Visionary and strategic

Global Network

The Australian Government

National Mental Health Commission

Government of Canada

Department of Health and Social Care England

Department of Health Northern Ireland

de Nederlandse ggz

VGN

Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand

Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People

Health Service Executive Ireland

Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale di Bologna (AUSL Bologna)

The Scottish Government

The League for Mental Health Slovakia

Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Health and Social Care Wales

Latest News

GLE supports international Crisis Now Summit in Washington, DC

#LE26 Digital Engagement Overview

GLE launches new strategic partnership to advance behavioral health leadership

New video shares highlights from the Leadership Exchange 2026 – Canada

Erin Geaney Scholarship Award

Rebuilding local support systems – person by person, place by place- international advances in Local Area Coordination across disability, social care, health and mental health

Announcement of Changes to GLE Board Chair and Directors

Available to watch now: Workforce Solutions Jam | International Innovation in Workforce Development and Lessons Learned

Working to advance digital mental health across the WHO European Region

Knowledge exchange: Supporting people with mental health problems through housing-based models

Introducing GLE Lived Experience Council member Anita David

GLE and MindForward Alliance launch a new partnership to advance workplace mental health globally

Refreshing our language and terminology – “Substance Use and Addictions”

Experience to impact: Reflections on making the most of international exchanges

Video Testimonials

2019 Exchange Participants:

How IIMHL Benefits Our Work & Our Countries

The Value of IIMHL from a Canadian Perspective:

Stephanie Priest

Peter Molyneux

Explaining Our Leadership Principles

We’d love to hear from you!

GLE and MindForward Alliance launch a new partnership to advance workplace mental health globally