World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH)

The mission of the World Federation for Mental Health is to promote the advancement of mental health awareness, prevention of mental disorders, advocacy, and best practice recovery focused interventions worldwide.

Goals
To heighten public awareness about the importance of mental health, and to gain understanding and improve attitudes about mental disorders.
To promote mental health and prevent mental disorders.
To improve the care, treatment and recovery of people with mental disorders.

The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) is the only international multidisciplinary, grassroots advocacy and education organization concerned with all aspects of mental health. It was founded in 1948 to advance, among all people and nations, the prevention of mental and emotional disorders, the proper treatment and care of those with such disorders, and the promotion of mental health. WFMH has been an NGO in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1963 and we are in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and in formal association with the UN Department of Public Information (DPI).

World Mental Health Day 2018 will focus on Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World.

Imagine growing up in our world today. Imagine dealing with human rights violations, wars and violence in the home, schools and businesses on a regular basis. Young people are spending most of their day on the internet – experiencing cyber-crimes, cyber bullying, and playing violent video games. Suicide and substance abuse numbers have been steadily rising and LGBTQ youth are feeling alone and persecuted for being true to themselves. Young adults are at the age when serious mental illnesses can occur and yet they are taught little to nothing about mental health care.

The World Federation for Mental Health will bring attention to the issues our youth and young adults are facing in our world today and begin the conversation around what they need in order to grow up healthy, happy and resilient. Our document this year will focus on bullying, suicide, major mental illness, trauma and gender identity. Join us on twitter and facebook to help spread the word!!

Let’s all use this year to emphasize the needs of our young people. It’s time to take a stand and demand more for the world’s young people – our future depends on it!
#worldmentalhealthday wmhday@wfmh.com

WFMH is proud to announce that our 2019 World Congress will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.