APA maintains a global network of partnerships in support of its priorities and goals.

United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that promotes peace, security, human rights, and cooperation among countries worldwide. APA maintains special consultative status as a non-governmental member organization with the UN to provide expert consultation on global issues relevant to psychiatry and mental health.

View APA's letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights violations and abuse and misuse of psychiatry in Iran - Oct. 27, 2022 (.pdf)

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 global targets to end poverty, protect the planet, and improve well-being by 2030. Mental health and substance abuse are included in SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being which calls for the promotion of mental health and the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

• UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • SDG Target 3.4 – Noncommunicable diseases and mental health
  • SDG Target 3.5 – Substance abuse
• UN System Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy

World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the UN agency responsible for global public health. APA works with WHO to ensure consistency between disorders included in the APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

The WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030 is a global strategy to improve mental health care, promote well-being, and protect human rights. It includes the following objectives:

• Strengthen effective leadership and governance for mental health
• Provide comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health and social care services in community-based settings
• Implement strategies for promotion and prevention in mental health
• Strengthen information systems, evidence and research for mental health

World Psychiatric Association

The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) is a global organization that brings together psychiatric societies to advance mental health care, education, and advocacy worldwide. APA is a member society of the WPA and represented on the WPA Board by the Zone 2 (United States) representative.

The World Psychiatric Association Action Plan 2023-2026 is a global strategy to improve psychiatric care, promote mental health, and uphold ethical standards in psychiatry. It prioritizes the following actions:

• Implementation of evidence-based therapies into clinical practice
• Improvement and preservation of mental health through healthy lifestyle choices
• Research on public health and clinical care through international collaboration
• Improved communication through inclusive and culturally competent practices