1997 World Congress of the World Federation for Mental Health

This year's World Congress of World Federation for Mental Health was successfully held at the Lahti Congress Centre, Helsinki - Finland, between the 6th and 11th July, 1997. It was hosted by the Finnish Mental Health Association, which is the World's oldest mental health association, and in fact cordially invited all congress participants to join its Centenary celebrations.

More than 165 countries from all over the world represented by about 1200 participants were present at Lahti's opening ceremony. Users, families, health care providers, government consultants, researchers, associations of self-help groups and supporting agencies - all contributed to render this Congress to be a learning opportunity for all. Malta shared this unique international experience through the participation of Mr Joseph Borg, Manager Nursing Service, Mount Carmel Hospital, and chairman of the National Mental Health Federation. His participation was facilitated by the generous sponsorship of the Ministry of Health, Care of the Elderly and Family Affairs and the Health Division.

'Cornerstones for Mental Health' was the theme of this World Congress. When one thinks of cornerstones, one may easily think of a house, and a house is universally used as a symbol of man. In shaping, building, decorating etc. one's house, one always tries to project the owner's self-image. The inside of a home, then, is also a kind of physical extension of one's identity.

In building our lives we all must have cornerstones. We can think of our mental health as a structure supported by elements that serve as cornerstones. The fundamental cornerstones which were thoroughly examined by this World Congress delegates included: 1) Ethics and Values, 2) Wellness: Healthy Body and Mind, 3) Mental Health as influenced by social structures, cultures and environment, 4) Mental Health in interaction and human relationships, and as the right to self-determination, 5) The right to mental health services; purchasing, providing and using.

At the concluding session, Dr Martin De Vries, the newly-appointed President of the World Federation for Mental Health emphasised the fact that in countries where there is a stable environment, stable economy and stable values, the promotion of mental health is easier. He further stated that nowadays, there are many societies undergoing many changes all the time. Information is changing, families are changing; there is violence, drugs and many increasing problems. The whole supportive nature of traditional culture is changing very rapidly everywhere. The pattern of sickness itself is changing and requires new approaches to face these challenges. Such a World Congress serves to bring stakeholders together and to offer a channel to express different views, be tolerant and learn from each other.

Malta's participation benefited to a large extent through the assessment of our resources and their utilisation vis-a-vis current needs. Amongst others, there are three fundamental issues which should be given primary importance, namely: an increased involvement of the users themselves in Government and Non-Government Organisations in tackling mental health issues; secondly, more community facilities to de-institutionalise clients and to really support them in their reintegration and resettlement delicate phases, thirdly, government organisations, non-profit making organisations, the media, teachers and other professionals should be encouraged to put the emphasis on promoting and preserving mental health rather than on the curative aspects.