Making Mental Health a Global Priority 

WFMH CENTER FOR TRANSCULTURAL MENTAL HEALTH
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	Ellen R. Mercer Deputy Executive Officer Director, WFMH Center For Transcultural Mental Health
	The WFMH Center for Transcultural Mental Health was established in December 2006 as an ongoing program within the WFMH Secretariat. The Center focuses attention on issues related to the increasingly multi-cultural aspects of mental health awareness, service delivery, and the need for developing culturally responsive systems of mental health services in countries and communities around the world. The WFMH Center for Transcultural Mental Health was established in December 2006 as an ongoing program within the WFMH Secretariat. The Center focuses attention on issues related to the increasingly multi-cultural aspects of mental health awareness, service delivery, and the need for developing culturally responsive systems of mental health services in countries and communities around the world. The establishment and development of the WFMH Center for Transcultural Mental Health was made possible through a grant from Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Ingelheim. Among the key issues concerning the “role of culture in mental health” that is the focus of the WFMH Center for Transcultural Mental Health are: 1) The role that cultural orientation plays in how mental health professionals think about Depression and its associated disorders, recognize its symptoms, accurately diagnose, and effectively treat it in patients that may have a different cultural orientation 2) The role that culture plays in how individuals, family members, and communities perceive and respond to symptoms of depression -- how and where they seek help or treatment in dealing with symptoms of depression 3) The role that culture plays in the interaction of mental health professionals with patients from a different culture --- how do these different cultural perspectives play out in the community- or institutional- based treatment settings. 4) The role that cultural perspective about mental health and mental disorders plays in the general workforce (business and industry), particularly within employee assistance programs, medical and family leave policies, health insurance coverage, etc.) The 2007 World Mental Health Day packet on the theme of Mental Health in a Changing World, the Impact of Culture and Diversity relates to the focus of this Center. It can be accessed here. TOP
	NEW! Australia’s Diversity Health Institute Collaboration with WFMH WFMH recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Diversity Health Institute of Australia (DHI) on the occasion of the Diversity in Health Conference 2008 held in Sydney, Australia, March 10-12, 2008. Immediate Past President Shona Sturgeon signed the MOU on behalf of WFMH while Professor Steven Boyages, Chief Executive of the Sydney West Area Health Service, signed on behalf of the DHI. The Diversity Health Institute is a consortium of public health organizations that work together to improve the health and wellbeing of Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community. The DHI is based in the Sydney West Area Health Service, however, it is comprised of units with a statewide, national and international focus and is funded from a variety of sources including the New South Wales Health and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. In the MOU, both WFMH and DHI agree to work together towards the following aims: Increasing public awareness and understanding of mental health issues Promoting improved attitudes towards mental health and mental disorders Promoting better mental health within the community and prevention of mental disorders Undertaking research to improve the care, treatment and recovery of people with mental disorders Developing education and training opportunities for mental health service providers The organizations will share access to resources; providing links through respective websites; organization of training programs, workshops, or conferences; activity seek opportunities for formal collaboration on projects of mutual interest; and working jointly in promotion of the annual World Mental Health Day global awareness campaign. WFMH is enthusiastic about this collaborative effort and believes that it will serve as a model for linkages with other organizations. The Diversity Health Institute Services and Programs include: Co-Exist NSW: Diversity Health Comorbidity Service DHI Clearinghouse DHI Research Laboratory DHI Service of Excellence DHI Workforce Development, Education and Training Networks Global Health Institute Multicultural Mental Health Australia Multicultural Problem Gambling Service NSW Education Program on Female Genital Mutilation Transcultural Mental Health Centre Women’s Health at Work For additional information, visit the DHI website at www.dhi.gov.au. For more information on releases of Multicultural Mental Health Australia, click here. Professor Abd Malak witnesses the signatures of Professor Steven Boyages and Shona Sturgeon
	2007 Transcultural Mental Health Conference on “Transcultural Mental Health in a Changing World: Building a Global Response” - Post-Conference Update The Center for Transcultural Mental Health organized a conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 29-31 on the theme of “Transcultural Mental Health in a Changing World: Building a Global Response.” The Conference Report, Program, List of Presenters with Contact Information, and Available PowerPoint Presentations and Handouts can be accessed HERE. Opening Plenary Session African Drummers & Dancers at Opening Plenary Ronald Wintrob, M.D., James Jaranson, M.D., WFMH President John Copeland Lunchtime discussions Cultural Exhibits   TOP
	INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS PANEL EXPLORES TRANSCULTURAL MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES – The WFMH Center for Transcultural Mental Health convened its first major activity in Dulles, Virginia, February 28 – March 1, 2007, bringing together 16 international leaders in mental health services, education, policy, and multicultural issues. The panel members represented 8 countries – Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, India, Switzerland, The Netherlands, the United States, and Zambia. WFMH Past President, Dr. L. Patt Franciosi, chaired the forum. part of the expert panel discussing transcultural mental health The purpose of the forum was to gather advice to assist in the Center’s preparation of a broad initiative on the impact of culture on mental health. The panel members provided input and shared perspectives on areas including the importance of culture and the migration experience as risk and protective factors in mental health, the need for a culturally competent mental health workforce, the framework for culturally responsive mental health service delivery systems, and the promotion of a recovery-focus for mental health services respecting service users’ cultural belief systems, and that of their families and communities in service delivery. TOP
	Transcultural Information and Resources This section is will be updated on a regular basis and consists of a section on Resources to include publications, programs, and contacts. If visitors have resources they would like to share, please send to emercer@wfmh.com. Translated Mental Health Fact Sheets Resources in Transcultural Mental Health Migrant Mental Health Culture and Violence Trauma and Mental Health African Population Arab Mental Health Asian Mental Health Eastern European Mental Health Hispanic Mental Health TOP
	Best Practices in Transcultural Mental Health This section is will be updated on a regular basis and consists of short summaries of best practices in transcultural mental health, including contact information. If visitors have best practices to share, please send to emercer@wfmh.com. NEW! Australia’s Transcultural Mental Health Centre NEW! Mental Health Programs in Refugee Camps NEW! Torture Treatment Centers