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World Federation for Mental Health

World Mental Health Day 2005 Examines the Close Link Between Mental and Physical Health Across the Life Span

Washington D.c. (ots/PRNewswire)

- Dr Benedetto Saraceno of WHO Will Keynote a Symposium to Mark
2005 WMHD in Washington D.C.
The 13th World Mental Health Day (WMHD) will be celebrated today
in many countries and this year examines the close relationship
between mental and physical health across all life stages. A healthy
mind effects physical well-being at any age. However, mental health
is often still considered second to and independent from physical
health. The lack of appreciation for the importance of mental health
is reflected in insufficient resources provided to address mental
health issues.
Dr Jose Miguel Caldas de Almeida, MD, Chief of the Unit of Mental
Health and Specialized Projects, Pan American Health Organization
(PAHO) said that health is a complete state of well-being and there
is no health without mental health.
"The burden of mental disorders is significant in medical, social,
and economic terms and is much underestimated. Many age groups are
neglected. These problems are global, affecting rich and poor
countries alike," Dr Caldas said.
The 2005 campaign developed by the World Federation for Mental
Health (WFMH) aims to increase public education and awareness about
mental health issues across the lifespan and focuses on the following
topics:
  • A Healthy Start to Life (focusing on mental health issues of children up to 12 years of age)
  • Growing Up Well: Paying Attention to Health During the Teen and Tween Years (including substance abuse, teenage moods, eating disorders)
  • Physical and Mental Health in Adulthood (including different needs in men and women, effects of living longer)
  • Role of Primary Care in Mental Health
  • Special Projects such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression and bipolar disorder
According to the World Health Organization, at least one in ten
people worldwide have suffered from clinically significant mental
health problems during the past 12 months(1-3). In addition, many
children, adults and  elderly suffer in silence and may not be aware
of their mental problems and  how they impact and worsen every aspect
of their life. It is estimated that  more than 30 to 50 percent of
people with psychiatric disorders remain  undetected and untreated,
even in rich countries(4).
"Although effective treatments exist for many mental disorders,
not enough resources are being made available to put these treatments
into practice," Dr Caldas de Almeida said. "Significantly more effort
is needed by all countries, rich and poor, to change policy, practice
and service delivery systems to ensure mental health needs and
concerns of people at all age groups receive the level of priority
necessary. In many countries, mental health care constitutes less
than 1% of the overall health budget."
The WFMH will mark the 13th World Mental Health Day with a
symposium chaired by Dr Mirta Roses Periago, MD, Director of PAHO and
Professor John Copeland, the WFMH President-elect. The keynote
lecture will be presented by Dr Benedetto Saraceno, MD, Director of
the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse of the World
Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland and prominent supporter of
the WFMH. The symposium program includes presentations by Dr Maryland
Pao, MD, National Institute of Mental Health, and Dr Thomas Wise, MD,
INOVA Health Systems addressing aspects of mental health during
childhood and adolescence, and adulthood and ageing, respectively.
The symposium will be held on 11 October 4:00 to 5:30 EDT at the
headquarters of PAHO in Washington, and will be followed by a
reception. Earlier during the day WFMH will also be holding a
briefing of medical communications directors and health media, and a
lunch meeting involving CEOs from mental health organizations.
Activities to mark WMHD 2005 are also taking place in many
countries across the world. The launch of the play When Time
Collapses featuring the ordeals of an undiagnosed schizophrenia
sufferer will take place in London, Great Britain.
    References:
    (1) Kessler RC et al. Arch Gen Psychiatry.2005;62:617-627.
    (2) Regier DA et al. JAMA. 1990;264:2511-2518.
    (3) WHO. JAMA. 2004;291:2581-90
    (4) http://www.wfmh.org/wmhday/WMHD2004EnglishSection2.pdf (Oct 2005)
For more information regarding the WFMH international activities
or the 13th WMHD visit www.wfmh.org or www.wmhd.net. Media interested
in the communicators briefing on Tuesday morning 11th October should
contact the WFMH office on +1-703-838-7543.

Contact:

For more information or interviews please contact: Preston J.
Garrison, World Federation for Mental Health, Mobile:
+1-571-247-5491, Email: pgarrison@wfmh.com; Maren Koban, Hill &
Knowlton, Phone: +44-(0)-20-7973-4497, Email:
mkoban@hillandknowlton.com

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