New Initiatives: WHO Project

New Initiatives: WHO Project

To Members And Colleagues Of The World Federation Of Mental Health And World
Health Organization, And Organizations Working In The Field Of Mental Health
Promotion

Greetings:

One of the major goals
of both the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) and the World Health
Organization (WHO) is the promotion of Mental Health. WFMH and WHO have fostered
and encouraged the development of promotion activities throughout the world
for many years, and are aware that much good work is being done in this field.
Now, WFMH and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence/WHO
have joined hands in a collaborative project to collect and compile a sample
of mental health promotion programs, initiatives and strategies into a document
that others can use in their own communities and countries. Through this
letter, WFMH and WHO invite you to submit case studies describing one or
more Mental Health Promotion programs, initiatives or strategies that your
organization has implemented in your community, state, province, country
or across countries .

This joint WFMH/WHO
project will collect illustrative experiences from countries on mental
health promotion. It will also seek to identify future mental health promotion
goals, strategies and activities of governmental and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) and the steps that are being proposed for attaining these goals.

Those programs and activities selected from
submissions in response to this invitation will be compiled in a publication
on Mental Health Promotion: Case Studies from Countries .
The project may also lead to other publications that can help in advocacy
to governments and international organizations for increasing investments
in mental health promotion activities. Selected examples will also be posted
on the WFMH and WHO websites.

The World Federation
for Mental Health and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence/World
Health Organization invite non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governmental
agencies working in various countries to submit case studies on
recently concluded (after the year 2000) mental health promotion programs
conducted
at the national, regional or local level . Programs dealing with more
than one country can also be described. Case studies of work done in developing
countries are especially welcome .

Case studies
must be submitted using the format described on the enclosed format instructions
sheet. Submissions that do not conform to the instructions cannot be
considered for selection in the final compilation and publication .
Please be aware of the submission deadline noted on the format instruction
sheet. A review panel of WFMH and WHO members will make selection of
case studies for inclusion in the publication. Submission of case studies
for consideration does not guarantee selection for inclusion in the publication.

The World Federation for Mental Health and the
Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence/World Health Organization
are excited about this collaborative project, and the promise it holds for
advancing understanding of the progress being made in efforts to promote
positive mental health practices throughout the world. We are also pleased
to have the opportunity to recognize those governmental and non-governmental
organizations that are leading the way in developing and implementing effective
culturally-sensitive mental health promotion strategies that address the
needs of individuals, families, communities and nations around the world.

In addition to the publication of selected case
studies, WHO and WFMH will select one case study from each region to receive
special recognition as examples that best reflect innovation and progress
in the field of mental health promotion. These programs will be presented
a special commendation at the Third World Mental Health Promotion & Prevention
Conference to be held in Auckland, New Zealand in September 2004.

We sincerely encourage your participation in
this important project, and we look forward to receiving the submission of
your case studies.

With kind regards and sincere appreciation for
the important work you are doing to enhance the mental health of your country’s
citizens,

Sincerely,

To obtain directions
please click here.