GMH Human Rights and Policy Institute

There is an imperative for a new ecology of global mental health and disability that positions the individual and society as inextricably linked within a human rights framework. This new approach espouses mental health and disability not merely on the grounds of impairment and pathology based on the biology, physiology, and psychology of the individual, but also about the environments in which they function and interact, and the systems with which they intersect. Thus, a new conceptual, methodological, programmatic, policy, and legislative rights-based framework is required to:

1. Transform systems to adopt more equitable, accessible, and inclusive laws, policies, and programs by assessing, embracing, and improving respect for human rights and dignity;
2. Identify and remove systemic, attitudinal, and environmental barriers and mainstream disability and mental health at all levels of the health, education, employment, social, legal, and protective systems and services;
3. Position biopsychosocial factors as significant health and social determinants for the onset, expression, course, and outcome of disability and mental health conditions.

The overarching goal of the Global Mental Health Human Rights & Policy Institute is to offer training in evidence-based policy and program development in global mental health, disability, and human rights. The institute will present knowledge and guidance across disciplines and practices to collectively work towards a rights-based model of disability and mental health, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in global health and development agendas, as well as in emergency humanitarian contexts.

The policy institute will:

• Deliver a series of complementary and interrelated modules that are designed to address the wide variety of needs and priorities in disability and global mental health advocacy and policy development through a human rights lens.
• Explore the conceptual, theoretical, and practical transformational policy and programmatic interventions to develop Integrated Systems of Care for Disability, Mental Health Disorders, with evolving applications of the human rights frameworks to evidence-based services, policies, and legislation in health/mental health, disability/rehabilitation, education, employment, social, protective, and emergency services.
• Demonstrate and guide critical skills in policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation needed to design Disability and Mental Health Advocacy and Policy to both combat stigma, discrimination, and ableism and to promote rights, recovery, and inclusion of persons with disabilities and mental health disorders, informed by evidence and aligned with international treaties and conventions.

Dates: January 14 - 18, 2026

Times: 9:00am - 5:00pm EST each day

Format: Online Modules with Live Zoom Sessions

Price: $1,000

• 25% discount will specifically be offered to all students (Teachers College/Columbia University and non-Teachers College/Columbia University)
• 25% discount will specifically be offered to all Teachers College/Columbia University alum
• 25% discount will be offered on the registration cost to groups of 3 or more participating from the same institution.
• 50% discount will be offered to participants from Low- and Middle-Income Countries. To see if you qualify, click here.
• 50% discount will be offered to participants with disabilities or lived experiences.

Discounts cannot be combined and registrants will receive the best discounted price.

Please Note: This course is offered on a non-credit basis or for 3 credits. Registration for this course through TC Academy is for the non-credit offering and Academic Credits will not be awarded. For instructions on how to register for the credit offering see below.

For more information, questions, discounts or to register: Email tcacademy@tc.columbia.edu

This course can be taken for credit in accordance with TC's enrollment policies. If you are not a current student and would like to take this course for credit, please review the Non-Degree Application Instructions page on our website and proceed accordingly. Also, please note that if you plan to take this on a for-credit basis, college tuition and fees will apply. If you are a continuing student in a degree program and have approval from your advisor, you can register for this course beginning on December 1st. Winter session courses will follow spring registration and payment deadlines.