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ABOUT WFMH Governance The World Federation for Mental Health was founded in 1948 at the Third International Congress of Mental Hygiene in London. Its origins can be linked to the earlier work of Clifford Beers, after his traumatic experience as a mental hospital patient. They are also linked to the peace movement after World War II, and the idea contained in the WFMH founding document “Mental Health and World Citizenship” that the ultimate goal of mental health is to help people “live with their fellows in one world.” Within this broad context the Federation’s specific mission was seen as promoting the mental health of the world’s peoples in its “social, educational, medical and biological aspects.” The early goals of the Federation allowed mental health association volunteers and professionals to direct attention to the social circumstances of people’s lives. After 1983 the mission increasingly emphasized the human rights of people defined as mentally ill or at risk for such illness, their capacity to contribute to the formation and management of mental health services, and improving efforts to encourage their participation in Federation activities. Consumers have now become more interested in the Federation’s work, while pursuing their own goals of presenting their opinions independently. Membership and Organization In 1983 the WFMH Board of Directors voted to make the formation of Regional Councils or coalitions of member associations a high priority. Four Regional Councils are currently active, those for Africa; Central American, Mexico and the Spanish Caribbean; the Eastern Mediterranean; and Europe. A Council formed for South America during preparations for the World Congress in Chile in 1999 later became inactive. For various reasons Regional Councils have not been formed for North America, Oceania, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. Since 1986 a network of university-based collaborating centers has been created to carry on our advocacy mission and to provide a technical-scientific basis for advocacy. At the present time there are eight of these centers. We also have a network of topic-oriented committees or working groups, some established on an ad hoc local basis and others working at an international level, to focus interest on particular areas of concern. Administration Communications
The Annual Report of the World Federation for Mental Health is prepared by Elena Berger, Director of Communications. Senior Advisor and Consultant for Communications: Eugene B. Brody, M.D. WFMH Publications Office
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