Another year has come and gone and it is time, once again, to prepare for the next World Mental Health Day Campaign. In July 2001, the World Federation Board of Directors approved a topic on the effects of violence. Little did we know what would transpire on September 11th making this theme more relevant than we could have anticipated. With the topic in mind, we decided to focus on the most vulnerable of those effected by trauma and violence the children. This is a topic of concern in most countries and communities to parents and mental health advocates, for a variety of reasons. We hope the material provided here will be useful as you prepare educational events this year. One of the quotes that stuck with us the most, throughout all the research and writing, was a statement made by one young person ringing home the need to work desperately on this topic If we are the future and we are dying there is no future. Take that thought with you as you prepare your educational events around the topic this year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have been involved in the preparation of the 2002 World Mental Health Day Campaign. We are particularly grateful for the commitment of our Chair of WMHDAY, Dr Patt Franciosi. Dr Franciosi has been the leader of this project for several years during which there has been great improvement and growth within the project. We also thank our writers, editors and translators Randi Hicks Rowe of Rowe Communications of Alexandria, LLC, Mary Graham of the National Mental Health Association, Marguerite and Matilde from Allied Languages Cooperative and, of course, the WFMH Staff. Along with those who contributed to the planning of the kit, we would like to thank our Advisory Committee and some on the Committee who gave much more than required. The kit also benefits from the great work of the international child-focused organizations mentioned in it. Keep supporting their work, as they are creating a momentum of change like no other. Along with those who help prepare the kit, we would like to thank those who continue to support the project financially. Janssen Pharmaceutica was the main Sponsor of the kit and AstraZeneca was a Supporter for the production of the 2002 project. Lastly, the WFMH would like to send out a thank you to those who continue to be involved, year after year. The future of this project depends on you and all the wonderful events that take place around the world. You continue to put in an incredible amount of effort and are the key the growth of the WMHDAY project. We salute your commitment and your willingness to educate and empower change in your communities. You make this project important because of your interest and enterprise, and the time you give. To those of you who write back to let us know what you have done to spread the word we send you an extra special vote of thanks.
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