WONCA President Congratulates WFMH on 75th Anniversary

October, 2023

WONCA President Dr. Anna Stavdal extends her sincere congratulations to the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), an organization in Collaborative Relations with WONCA, on the occasion of their 75th Anniversary.

Dear Dr. Nasser Loza, President of the World Federation for Mental Health, and Prof. Gabriel Ivbijaro, Secretary-General of WFMH,

On behalf of the World Organization of Family Doctors, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to the World Federation for Mental Health on the momentous occasion of your 75th anniversary.

WFMH's dedication to mental health advocacy, policy formulation, and community engagement is an inspiration to us all. The breadth of your partnerships and the scope of your projects has touched lives across the globe.

We are incredibly proud and grateful for our partnership with WFMH. Your commitment to dignity, rights, and equity in mental health aligns seamlessly with our own mission to improve the quality of life for families globally.

As you celebrate this significant milestone, we look forward to strengthening our collaboration with WFMH in the years to come. Together, we can continue to make strides in mental health care and advocacy, ensuring a healthier and more equitable world for all.

Once again, congratulations on 75 remarkable years!

Sincerely,

Dr Anna Stavdal
WONCA President



World Federation For Mental Health 75th Anniversary Special Event

On 17th November 2023 the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), an Organization in Collaborative Relations with WONCA, will be holding a special event in Geneva to commemorate the 75th anniversary of its foundation in 1948 entitled '75 years of mental health advocacy: achievements, challenges and the future.'

Over the last 75 years WFMH has been active in the field of mental health advocacy, driven by the principles of world citizenship, fairness, and education of professionals and the general public.

At its foundation in 1948, WFMH emphasized the need for multidisciplinary working. There was also an emphasis on the training of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and others so their skills could be devoted to finding solutions for human problems and for the application of clinical findings to broader social issues.

National mental health associations and institutions including professional bodies were urged to co-operate with their governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) so that mental health and wellbeing can be a priority for all of us. It was also noted that in addition to the WHO there was a need to work with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other United Nations bodies to promote all aspects of mental health.

WFMH is the oldest mental health advocacy organization in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations since 1963 and remains in Official Relations with the World Health Organization. WFMH has remained true to its founding principles over the last 75 years and it is time for further reflection, review and renewal. In order to achieve this, every voice matters and it is important that we hear from each and every one of you.

Join this event by pre-registering HERE.