The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) – International Network for Person-Centered Medicine (INPCM) Project:

Abstract

The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) has a longstanding mission to promote the advancement of mental health awareness, of prevention of mental illness and of evidence-based interventions aimed at recovery of mental and physical wellbeing worldwide. The WFMH has advocated for international developments working to establish mental health policy and improve human rights.  The WFMH has focused on promoting a holistic approach to patient care through key international programmes advancing the concept of treating the whole person.  Among these programmes we highlight the ground breaking Body and Mind campaign, Keeping Care Complete survey and the Diabetes and Depression Dialogue.  The World Federation for Mental Health’s Africa Initiative on the Mental Health Consequences of HIV/AIDS is a Call for Action for governments throughout Africa to give increased priority to the pressing need to improve the quality of mental health and psychosocial support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. The recent World Mental Health Day 2010 demonstrated a clear focus on the need to address mental health issues to achieve better compliance with treatment, health and social outcomes and improved quality of life for those living with chronic physical conditions.  The WFMH’s most recent global effort - The Great Push - focuses on 4 main principles of Unity, Visibility, Rights and Recovery to emphasise the contribution of mental health to the overall disease burden worldwide.  The WFMH has now joined with the INPCM in this international network to promote a person centered approach to care as a key area in international healthcare.