The Message in Mental Health Association Logos (Last Updated On: ) The Message in Mental Health Association Logos by Pirkko Lahti Executive Director, Finnish Mental Health Association President Elect, WFMH Some time ago I asked the member associations of WFMH for their logos in order to study the way these small emblems show an image of mental health and the work of the organizations they represent. Seventeen associations from sixteen countries answered my request. Eleven of them interpreted the meaning of their logos for me or told the story behind them, while two organizations sent graphic designs incorporating their names or abbreviations of them. Only three associations used logos that seemed to have no symbolism attached. Design The most commonly used motif in the logos was a human figure. Parts of a figures, such as a hand, heart or brain were also used. Other often-used motifs were derived from nature, with imagery including the sea, birds, plants or trees. Fire and light featured in some logos, while others included the globe or a map of the associations native country. A few showed abstract designs of circles and lines. Blue was the color most often used, followed by red and green. A few used yellow and brown, and three used black and white with no other colors. Interpretation The symbolic meaning of the logo was most often mental health and its wholeness. This could be conveyed by abstract figures, or by circles, which are obvious symbols for mental health. A globe in a logo represented the global nature of mental health work or an associations international concerns, with the message that mental health matters are the same worldwide. Helping and caring for others was a recurrent theme, sometimes symbolized by one or more human figures or an outstretched hand. The relationship between the helper and the person being helped could be represented in two ways. The first showed the recipient in distress, crouching on the ground, with help depicted as a hand reaching out from above. The second approach showed an equal and reciprocal relationship between the helper and client, with their hands reaching out to each other on the level. A similar, equal helping relationship was represented by a flight of geese travelling together. This symbolized a united effort in a system where each member takes turns in giving help when capable of doing so. The heart in one of the logos can be interpreted as representing cordiality and empathy, seeing with the heart. A picture of the human brain was used to symbolize well-being and mental health. A recurrent theme was hope for a better future or the beginning of a new life, symbolished with plants, flames or life. New growth or a bursting bud represented the possibilities of renewal offered by the work of a mental health association. Flames and light seemed to symbolize hope, but fire was used as a symbol for change in some logos, and it was also used to represent the hardships of human life. The help offered by the association was conveyed as light penetrating darkness. A bird symbolized hope and life experiences in some logos, freedom and peace in others, while a bird in flight represented the life journey. Waves, used by the Finnish Mental Health Association in its logo and also in an unusual graphic design along the bottom of its letterhead notepaper, represent lifes adversities. Ideas in Common In addition to the primary message, some associations said their logos also represented other concerns and goals such as research, training, flexibility and dynamism. Some logos were deliberately ambiguous, leaving room for the viewers own interpretation. Nevertheless, although the designs sometimes incorporated national characteristics, their motifs and themes had a surprising amount in common. The Federation has about 150 voting member and affiliate member organizations. I would welcome hearing from more of them about their logos and the stories behind them. My address is given below, together with the list of associations that replied to the original inquiry. Pirkko Lahti The Finnish Association for Mental Health Maistraatinportti 4 A 00240 Helsinki, Finland Fax: 358 9 6155 1770 Email: [email protected] The associations providing information for this article: AUSTRIA: Pro Mente Upper Austria CANADA: Canadian Mental Health Association DENMARK: Landsforeningen Sind FINLAND: The Finnish Association for Mental Health GERMANY: Dachverband Psychosozialer Hilfsvereiningungen e. V HONG KONG: New Life – Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association ICELAND: Godverndaffelag Island – The Iceland Mental Health Association ITALY: Unione Nazionale delle Associazioni per la Salute Mentale MALAYSIA: Malaysian Mental Health Association THE PHILIPPINES: Philippine Mental Health Association PORTUGAL: Liga Portugesa de Higiene Mental SCOTLAND: The Scottish Association for Mental Health SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Association for Mental Health SWEDEN: Svenska Foreninger for Psykisk Halsa – The Swedish National Association for Mental Health SWITZERLAND: International Council for Nurses USA: American Psychological Association USA: Postpartum Support International