St Cross Alumnus Delivers Intervention at UN Hearing

Photo credit: © GMHAN members

Alumnus Benny Prawira Siauw (2023, MSc Medical Anthropology) recently took part in the United Nations’ Multistakeholder Hearing on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, where he had the opportunity to deliver an intervention. 

The UN General Assembly held this High-Level Meeting in April 2025 in New York City. It was a pivotal moment for mental health, marking the first time it featured so prominently at a UN meeting of this nature. 

Benny, who attended the Meeting as part of the Global Mental Health Action Network, represented Into The Light Indonesia — an organisation he founded, which is the first youth-led suicide prevention community in his home country. In his intervention, he highlighted key issues surrounding suicide prevention, including the lack of national health coverage for suicide-related injuries in Indonesia, the criminalisation of suicide attempts in 25 countries across the world, and the vital importance of meaningful engagement with individuals’ lived experience in policy-making processes. 

Benny completed an MSc in Social Health Psychology at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, followed by an MSc in Medical Anthropology at St Cross. He received a Chevening Scholarship during his time at the College. He is currently engaged in a wide range of roles, including serving as: a Consultant at Columbia University, a Member of the Global Mental Health Action Network, a Working Group Member at the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, a Steering Committee Member at the World Health Organisation, and a Senior Fellow at Atlantic Fellows. 

Watch key excerpts from the hearing here.