Dear Friends,
International mental health concerns achieved a higher profile in 2001 than for many years past. The World Health Organization (WHO) focused attention on them as the subject of its World Health Day on 7 April, and in its annual World Health Report released on 4 October. This was only the second time that mental health has been the subject of its annual health awareness campaign. The World Federation for Mental Health, recognizing the importance of this development and many shared concerns, supported WHO’s special initiative in its own activities during 2001.
Our campaign for World Mental Health Day takes place on 10 October every year. Many agencies and organizations arranged programs of events spanning the period between 7 April and 10 October, with the release of the World Mental Health Report providing an additional focus of attention. Some programs continued to the end of 2001.
The terrible events of 11 September, followed by the war in Afghanistan and by new tensions in the Middle East, also spurred consideration of many issues from disaster management to counseling for bereavement and post-traumatic stress disorder, to ways of helping people cope with the long-term effects of adversity. In the past year we have seen these matters raised after man-made and natural disasters, in high-tech workplaces and poor communities, in homes and in camps for refugees and displaced persons.
The World Federation carried forward its efforts in many areas. Major activities in 2001 are outlined in this report under the four goals that define our work. These are:
To heighten public awareness about the importance of mental health, and to gain understanding and improve attitudes about mental disorders.
To promote mental health and optimal functioning.
To prevent mental, neurological and psychosocial disorders.
To improve the care and treatment of those with mental, neurological and psychosocial disorders.
During the year the nine Regional Vice Presidents, all volunteers, participated in a wide variety of activities to encourage local and regional interest in mental health, and an active group of volunteer representatives pursued advocacy at the United Nations. Our achievements derive from our character as an international voluntary organization, the essence of civil society, and from the support of our individual members and the collaboration of like-minded associations. As always, we are indebted to the donors who have given us the means to pursue this work.
Best wishes,
Pirkko Lahti
WFMH President