UNITED NATIONS (Last Updated On: ) UNITED NATIONS World Health Organization, Geneva A report from Stanislas Flache, WFMH Permament Representative in Geneva WHO showed a renewed commitment to mental health in the first half of 2001, with the full support of Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland. The Director of the Mental Health Department, Benedetto Saraceno, M.D., has been involved in a wide range of activities. In early April, prior to WHOs World Health Day, two seminars with local and international participation were organized with the cantonal authorities in Geneva on mental health and human rights. World Health Day itself was marked on 6 April at WHO headquarters with a number of presentations illustrating current issues in mental health care. WFMH President Ahmed El Azayem took part in the discussion which followed. On 7 April the Day was observed at many Ministries of Health around the world with programs focused on mental health. During WHOs World Health Assembly in Geneva (15-23 May) the examination of problems in mental health care continued. With 191 Ministers of Health present or represented, four ministerial roundtables took place concurrently. Ministers shared recent developments in mental health care in their respective countries. They recognized that mental health problems were significant contributors to the global disease burden, had huge economic and social costs, and caused human suffering. A case was made for cost effective solutions as many strategies, approaches and interventions have been identified and are already being used in numerous small projects around the world. These discussions emphasized the current social context of mental health, and also the importance of overcoming stigma and human rights violations, shifting to community-based care, and integrating mental health within national primary health care systems. Those present noted the need to advance the level of acceptance and provide parity of care for physical and mental disorders. The wide-ranging review extended to economic factors such as the level of financing for community care, the need for treatment costs to be affordable for those in need, and the human resources required for services. The Health Ministers discussed the desirability of consumer and family involvement, and the requirements of particular sections of the population. These included services for rural, remote and dispersed populations, for refugees and displaced persons, and for people affected by disaster. The special needs of women, children and adolescents were noted. A very thorough summary of conclusions from the four ministerial roundtables was presented at the closing of the World Health Assembly by the Minister of Health of Barbados. WHOs recent activities are designed heighten awareness among public health authorities and also to send a message that prevention of illness and its early detection can drastically reduce the burden for patients, families and society. This program will continue in the second half of 2001 when the WHOs annual World Health Report, devoted this year to mental health, is released.