Priority Issues in Mental Health – serie

Two themes seem to emerge repeatedly when reading through this volume. One is 'consensus' and the other is 'search'. There was a strong consensus during the Congress that children and families were the major and foremost concern of all present, regardless of their geographic origin or professional background. This concern was often expressed in terms of commitment to or as goal for the international mental health movement for the years to come. The second theme, 'search', represents an effort to translate this concern into activities: search for concrete, immediate goals, for ways and means of translating into actual programs and projects, for interested people to carry on the work and better ways to train them to do the work well, for ways to obtain support, and lastly, search for ways of coordinating efforts of people in different parts of the world. All these and other matters are taken up in the discussions in this volume. The complexity of problems encountered in a rapidly changing world and the diversity of resources available in different parts of the world, make the task of searching difficult and sometimes confusing. In spite of the earnest efforts made, the results may be inconclusive and some of those pro­ posed can be regarded only as hypotheses or ideas for experimentation.

The publication of this volume is significant in three respects. First, it represents a major concern of the international mental health movement in its effort to gain deeper understanding of migration and its mental health implications in our increasingly mobile modern societies. Second, it epitomizes continuous international cooperation of colleagues dedicated to the cause of tackling this important mental health problem. Third, it stands as another milestone in the growth of the World Federation for Mental Health through its biennial world congresses. I sincerely hope that the empirical observations of real·life events contained in this volume will stimulate others to add their own experiences and perspectives on these topics at future congresses. It is also hoped that certain models of problem solving reported by the collaborators of this book may find wider application and that the results will be communicated to others. It is through such ensuing developments that the World Federation for Mental Health wishes to, and can, fulfIll its roles of advocacy and international communication in promoting international mental health. My gratitude goes to Richard Nann and his colleagues for having made this timely contribution available.

It is not easy for a layman to attract attention to a book like this. Most who open the cover will be professionals in one of the many aspects of mental health. A moment's thought tells us, however, that if there is a distinction between laymen and professionals it makes no difference to a book like this. Both laymen and professionals care about what will be. That is why this book, the Congress it reports and the World Federation for Mental Health itself can be meaningful to both laymen and professional people. A look into the 80's from the point of view of mental health, cultural values and social development is for all who care about the future. The 1981 Manila Congress of the World Federation for Mental Health was a unique and special gathering. It was the first time the Federation assembled for a Congress in a developing country. In the Philippines we enjoyed the over­ whelming hospitality and charm of the people and a place where past and future seem as important as the present. All who attended from outside those magic islands will always remember the occasion as a special life experience. For those of you who did attend, this book can revive the stimulation and satisfaction of the Congress. For those of you who did not share the Manila experience, this book can inform and interest you about matters which are important.

It is not easy for a layman to attract attention to a book like this. Most who open the cover will be professionals in one of the many aspects of mental health. A moment's thought tells us, however, that if there is a distinction between laymen and professionals it makes no difference to a book like this. Both laymen and professionals care about what will be. That is why this book, the Congress it reports and the World Federation for Mental Health itself can be meaningful to both laymen and professional people. A look into the 80's from the point of view of mental health, cultural values and social development is for all who care about the future. The 1981 Manila Congress of the World Federation for Mental Health was a unique and special gathering. It was the first time the Federation assembled for a Congress in a developing country. In the Philippines we enjoyed the over­ whelming hospitality and charm of the people and a place where past and future seem as important as the present. All who attended from outside those magic islands will always remember the occasion as a special life experience. For those of you who did attend, this book can revive the stimulation and satisfaction of the Congress. For those of you who did not share the Manila experience, this book can inform and interest you about matters which are important.

The publication of this volume is significant in three respects. First, it represents a major concern of the international mental health movement in its effort to gain deeper understanding of migration and its mental health implications in our increasingly mobile modern societies. Second, it epitomizes continuous international cooperation of colleagues dedicated to the cause of tackling this important mental health problem. Third, it stands as another milestone in the growth of the World Federation for Mental Health through its biennial world congresses. I sincerely hope that the empirical observations of real·life events contained in this volume will stimulate others to add their own experiences and perspectives on these topics at future congresses. It is also hoped that certain models of problem solving reported by the collaborators of this book may find wider application and that the results will be communicated to others. It is through such ensuing developments that the World Federation for Mental Health wishes to, and can, fulfIll its roles of advocacy and international communication in promoting international mental health. My gratitude goes to Richard Nann and his colleagues for having made this timely contribution available.

The initial impetus for this volume was the occasion of the World Congress for Mental Health held in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1977. The theme of that congress was priorities in mental health. The keynote speaker Mrs. Rosalynn Carter, wife of the then President of the United States, focused attention on the necessity for an international perspective in understanding priorities for mental health. Without exception subsequent speakers echoed the sentiments Mrs. Carter expressed, that the first priority for mental health was that of children. For many participants the concern for children was translated not only into techniques for treatment but more importantly into broadening the approaches to prevention. One theme emerged which has begun to be addressed around the world - that of the cultural and developmental implications of sex role stereotyping for mental health. This topic proved to be the touchstone for many issues related both directly and indirectly to mental health. Among the most prominent concerns expressed were those for the effects on careers, the learning environment and relations between the sexes which stem from stereotyped attitudes concerning appropriate sex role behavior. The consensus of the par­ tiCipants was to urge the directorate of the congress to continue this topic at the next World Congress. This was a particularly appropriate content for the next World Congress, since 1979 was the International Year of the Child.