~Human Rights Committee~

~Mental Health in World Bank Programs~ Harvey Whiteford arrived in Washington, D.C., in February to accept a one-year post as mental health specialist at the World Bank. He has taken a year’s leave of absence from his position as Commonwealth Director of Mental Health in Canberra, Australia. The post is funded by a grant to…

International Conference on “Media for Social Change” 1-2 December 1999,Chang Mai, Thailand The Dalai Lama called the last century one of conflict, and exhorts us to make the coming century one of dialogue. Media will play a key role in creating international dialogue and getting the know-how of development from those who have it to…

~World Health Organization~ Benedetto Saraceno, M.D., has been appointed Director of the Department of Mental Health, which is part of the Social Change and Mental Health Cluster headed by Dr. Yasuhiro Suzuki. Dr. Saraceno was formerly manager of the “Nations for Mental Health” programme. In the reorganization of WHO initiated by its new Director-General, Dr….

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders affect approximately 24 million people globally, generating profound disability, social exclusion, and premature mortality. The World Federation for Mental Health identifies stigma — at the societal, institutional, and interpersonal levels — as one of the most damaging and persistent barriers to effective treatment and social recovery for individuals living with schizophrenia. Research…

New WFMH Regional Vice President for Europe Aart Jan Vrijlandt was confirmed as the Regional Vice President for Europe by the WFMH Executive Committee, following his election as President of Mental Health Europe (MHE) at that organizations annual meeting in Romania. Dr. Vrijlandt trained as a psychiatrist, group psychotherapist and family therapist, and is presently…