Who We Are
List of Sections
WFMH Member Section Application
Organized sections provide an opportunity for members with the WFMH who share a common interest, in a particular subfield of mental health, to research, collaborate and develop topics of interest or concern for the WFMH to consider.
All WFMH members in good standing are eligible to join up to three Sections at one time.
Contact us, and please describe the reasons why you would like to become a member of this section, along with a brief bio. Please use a separate page if necessary and attach your bio to the email.
If you wish to start your own section, please send the information and a letter to the WFMH Secretariat at info@wfmh.global with your full name, contact details and an explanation of the section topic you wish to start and why. The WFMH Executive Committee will review all applications and determine if the section fits with the WFMH mission, vision and goals.
Community Mental Health Development
The fundamental aims and objectives of the Section is to achieve the following five main strands of our work:
- To campaign for and assist with the closure of psychiatric institutions through the development of comprehensive integrated community mental health services.
- The development of the Whole Life-Whole System Community by developing Strategies and implementing them through partnership working with local communities harnessing their strengths, resilience and resources.
- To promote and provide opportunities for people with mental health issues and their families to develop their own recovery/discovery plans and journeys through selfdetermination, autonomy and a full recognition of their assets.
- Changing the Thinking, Changing the Practice, Changing the System. All 3 tenets of Change done together through Action Learning Sets.
- To identify and share good practice in Community Mental Health service systems from around the world.
Members
- Roberto Mezzina, Chair
- John Jenkins
- Ingrid Daniels
- Silvia Raggi
- Ana De Souza Baptista
- Rossana Seabra Sade
- Chiara Piletti
- Valentina Iemmi
- Francesco Amaddeo
- Gabriel Ivbijaro
*further information on this Section, click here
Spirituality & Mental Health
Objectives
- To advocate and promote study, research, training and advances in spirituality and global mental health including what mediates outcomes of religion and spirituality in mental health.
- Develop and promote guidelines to support spirituality and mental health.
- To collaborate with other national and international organizations with an interest in and expertise in spirituality and mental health.
- To organise educational opportunities to enhance understanding of spirituality and mental health.
- To organize symposiums, workshops, and other scientific activities about spirituality and mental health at the World Congresses of the WFMH and its regional conferences.
- To develop proposals for WFMH consensus statements about spirituality and mental health.
- Hold intra-sectional activities and meetings to promote interdisciplinary relationships and connections between different areas in the field of mental health.
Members
- Gabriel Ivbijaro, Joint Chair
- Manoj Kurian, Joint Chair
- Mwai Makoka, Joint Secretary
- Lucja Kolkiewicz, Joint Secretary
- Ursula Wüthrich
- Lisa Weston
- Jean-Luc Roelandt
- Todd Edwards
- Nasser Loza
- Nabila Makram
- Anne Lindsay
- Uriel Halbreich
- Constance Dunlap
- Rahn Bailey
- Eliot Sorel
- Vishanth Weerakkody
- Unaiza Niaz
- Isatou N'Jie
- Yaccub Enum
- Fernado Lolas Stepke
- Steve Maingot
*further information on this Section, click here
Women's Mental Health
The Vision of the Women's Mental Health Section is to enhance the visibility of the World Federation for Mental Health and the Women's Mental Health Section by advancing, advocating and facilitating networks to promote the mental health and mental wellbeing rights of all girl children and women and to elevate the voices of women with lived experience of mental health conditions across the world.
Objectives
- To improve communication, strengthen our networks and deepen and expand visibility and reach across the world.
- Integrate girl children and women's mental health within WFMH structures/leadership.
- To create awareness about girl children and women's mental health and the challenges and barriers they experience.
- Support gender equality and empower all women and girls.
- To provide information and training about girl children and women's mental health.
- To promote programmes and interventions to protect and advance the mental health of girl children and women regardless of where they live or their backgrounds.
- To promote and advocate for girl children and women's mental health rights to be in all mental health policies, legislation and interventions.
Members
- Amalia Barcan (Argentina)
- Ann Lindsay (Switzerland)
- Anna H Gray (United States of America)
- Bette Levy (United States of America)
- Chueh Chang (Taiwan)
- Connie Cai Gan (Australia)
- Francisca Venegas (Chile)
- Ingrid Daniels (South Africa) - Deputy Chair
- Julie Millard (Australia) - Chair
- Lucja Kolkiewicz (United Kingdom)
- Mamatha Achanta (India)
- Qudsia Tariq (Pakistan)
- Ricki Kantrowitz (United States of America)
- Shona Sturgeon (South Africa)
- Silvia Raggi (Argentina)
- Unaiza Niaz (Pakistan)
*further information on this Section, click here
Workplace Mental Health
"The development and implementation of a workplace mental health policy and programme will benefit the health of employees, increase productivity for the company and will contribute to the wellbeing of the community at large." (WHO, 2005).
Members
- Elizabeth King, Chair
- Sam Mikail, Deputy Chair
- Toluse Francis, Secretary
- Kathy Pike, Deputy Secretary
- Micheal Pietrus
- Michael Kariuki Kamau
- Mark Butler
- Shelley Oldham
*further information on this Section, click here
Youth Mental Health
The WFMH Youth Section unites individuals and organizations passionate about advancing youth mental health globally, focusing on including young people with lived experiences and from marginalised groups. It provides a platform for youth to advocate for mental health and drive meaningful change in their communities. By fostering youth leadership, the section ensures young voices shape policies, programs, and practices that promote mental well-being. Its goal is to create a supportive environment where every young person can thrive emotionally, socially, and mentally, empowering them to achieve their full potential and contribute to a brighter, more inclusive future.
Objectives
- To advocate for the prioritization of mental health among youth globally, raising awareness about the importance of mental well-being and reducing stigma associated with mental health issues.
- To advocate for the active participation of young people with lived experiences and young people from the marginalized groups in the global mental health sphere - promoting inclusivity in all aspects of mental health advocacy and support.
- To actively engage youth in decision-making processes related to our mental health programs, ensuring their voices are heard and their perspectives are integrated into all levels of mental health initiatives.
- To provide opportunities for youth leadership development, training, and capacity building in mental health advocacy, activism, and service provision, enabling young leaders to drive positive change in their communities.
- To collaborate with other youth organizations, mental health professionals, governments, and NGOs to leverage collective expertise and resources, and to strengthen the impact of mental health initiatives for young people globally.
- To support and promote research on youth mental health issues, innovative approaches to prevention, intervention, and treatment, and evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for young people experiencing mental health challenges.
- To support and strengthen the operations of WFMH Global Campaign initiatives organized for World Mental Health Day and also support other initiatives of WFMH.
Members
- Hitesh Sanwal, Chair
- Ally Salama, Joint Secretary
- Sarah Tushemereire, Joint Secretary
- Prof. Gabriel Ivbijaro, Mentor
- Dr. Ingrid Daniels, Mentor
- Mario Merlo, Mentor
- Steve Maingot, Mentor
- Nayla Grace
- Toluse Dove Francis
- Cameron Tan
- Shahd Fouad
- Tinuola E. Oladejo
- Olawuni Fehintola
- Rika Rijal
- Andrea Karina Miranda