WFMH Board Candidates for Election

2025-2027

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Candidate 1000 word statement

I am a mental health professional (psychologist) with over 40 years of experience working in public hospitals in the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. I retired recently but continue to be actively engaged in mental health advocacy and policy.

I currently serve as a member of the Argentine Mental Health Advisory Council, which advises the Ministry of Health on national mental health policies. I also completed two terms as a member of the Review Body established by the National Mental Health Law—an independent agency within the Judiciary that monitors the protection of patients' rights and ensures equitable access to mental healthcare.

Over 20 years ago, I co-founded the Argentine Association for Mental Health (AASM), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting mental health, advocating for patient inclusion in healthcare systems, and defending human rights. Today, AASM is one of the most prominent mental health organizations in Argentina and Latin America.

Throughout my career, I have been a strong advocate for the rights of individuals living with mental health conditions and those experiencing substance use problems. I aim to bring this perspective and long-standing commitment to the WFMH, contributing both to the promotion of its global initiatives and to fundraising efforts that enable meaningful participation of patients and families in mental health programs.

I maintain ongoing contact with PAHO/WHO officials, including Dr. Dévora Kestel, Regional Advisor on Mental Health for Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the WHO mental health office in Argentina. I am also connected with various mental health and human rights institutions across Argentina, Latin America, and other regions, and I have regular dialogue with national legislators (senators and representatives).

In addition, I have served multiple times as an advisor to Argentina's National Directorate of Mental Health and was honored to be appointed National Director of Research at the Argentine Secretariat for Drug Policies.

- Why you are interested in serving on the Board of the WFMH?
I am interested in serving on the WFMH Board of Directors to contribute my extensive experience in leading nonprofit organizations in the field of mental health. I look forward to supporting the continued growth of the WFMH— financially, scientifically, culturally, and academically—so that it can reach more professionals, service users, and families around the world.

I would be honored to serve as President-Elect. It is worth noting that I have previously served as President of the WFMH, and I bring with me not only the experience required to lead the Federation but also a strong commitment to its mission and core values. I am confident in my ability to provide strategic leadership to help advance the goals of the WFMH at a global level.

- List other organization and boards you have represented and any with the WFMH.

World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH)

• Past President (2019–2021)
• President (2017–2019)
• Regional Vice-President for Latin America (2013–2015)

Argentine Association for Mental Health (AASM)

• Founder (2004)
• General Secretary (2004–2010)
• President (2010–2013)
• Scientific Secretary (2017–present)

Argentine Association for the Study of Addictions

• Founder and Scientific Secretary (2016–2018)

Association of the Professional Board at the Álvarez Hospital

• President (2008–2012)
• Vice-President (2012–2020)

“Sandor Ferenczi” Cultural Association (ASaFer)

• Founder (2009)
• Vice-President (2009–2012)
• President (2012–2013)

Psychologists Association of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires

• General Secretary (2013–2016)

- Current type and length of WFMH membership
Life member

- Areas where you intend to contribute to the functioning and betterment of the WFMH (if you are or have been a WFMH Board Member, you must indicate any fulfilled contributions in these areas).
I am fully committed and willing to contribute in any way necessary to support the mission and growth of the WFMH.

In the past, I served as the WFMH Regional Vice President for Latin America, a role in which I successfully recruited numerous mental health organizations from across the region to become members of the Federation (although, regrettably, some have since withdrawn). My efforts helped raise awareness of the WFMH not only in Argentina but also throughout Latin America and in several European countries.

As Regional Vice President, I co-organized, alongside the Argentine Association for Mental Health (AASM), the 2013 World Congress on Mental Health in Buenos Aires. This event became the largest congress in WFMH history, attracting over 6,000 delegates from 67 countries. It featured thousands of scientific presentations and cultural activities across 23 simultaneous venues, and generated a contribution of over USD 120,000 for the WFMH.

In 2019, during my tenure as WFMH President, I once again organized a World Congress in Buenos Aires, attended by more than 5,000 participants from around the world. While it did not match the scale of the 2013 congress due to regional economic challenges, it still raised approximately USD 30,000 for the WFMH.

From 2013 to 2021, in collaboration with AASM, I also organized a Regional WFMH Congress as part of the annual AASM National Congress in Buenos Aires. These events served both to promote the WFMH and to raise additional funds, which were transferred to the Federation.

During my presidency, I initiated the creation of WFMH Sections, designed to bring together members with shared interests to collaborate on specific mental health topics. I also introduced the concept of Collaborating Members, a category that, although not yet fully implemented, remains a valuable mechanism for expanding participation—something I am eager to further develop.

Additionally, I established the framework for organizing virtual courses and scientific and community-based activities, anticipating the importance of digital engagement long before it became a global necessity.

- How would you identify yourself – such as: Consumer, Family Member, Psychiatrists, MH professional, Administrator/Director of a mental health NGO, etc? Please list all that you believe you would use in your role as a WFMH Board Member.
I am a mental health professional (psychologist) and a committed activist for the rights of people living with mental illness.

I have over 40 years of experience working in various public hospitals in the City of Buenos Aires and have developed a broad professional trajectory that spans government agencies, public and private universities, and nonprofit organizations.

- The specific skills that you wish to bring to WFMH.
My vision is to contribute to the modernization of the WFMH through the full integration of digital tools and contemporary communication strategies. I believe it is essential for the organization to adapt to the challenges and dynamics of today's world in order to expand its global reach, ensuring that individuals living with mental health conditions are aware of their rights and promoting the understanding that no one is exempt from experiencing psychological distress.

The WFMH must position itself as a dynamic, visible organization with the capacity to influence, leveraging all available political, academic, and outreach resources to strengthen its international impact. This includes not only increasing its presence before governments around the world, but also consolidating and expanding its collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other multilateral bodies.

I bring relevant experience in this field, having successfully organized postgraduate programs at various universities, each with hundreds of participants. I am confident that this experience can be applied within the WFMH to develop high-level educational initiatives that are accessible and have global reach.

- Willingness to participate in Board Meetings held at specific meeting sites, on conference calls and/or with email communication and are there any issues that would prevent you from being available for any of these meetings?
I am prepared to actively engage in all Board meetings (whether in person or remotely) as frequently as needed to support the work of the Federation.

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Candidate additional statement if provided

I respectfully submit my candidacy for the position of President-Elect, drawing on my previous experience in this role.

I would like my experience as President of the WFMH and the contributions I made during that period to be taken into account. During my term, I created the WFMH Sections, which remain active to this day. I also introduced the concept of Collaborating Members and implemented virtual courses, which unfortunately have not continued to develop after my presidency.

I also hope that my experience in leading nonprofit organizations will be considered. Furthermore, I believe it is important to recognize my long-standing academic career as a professor at universities in Argentina and in other countries around the world, as well as my experience organizing congresses, courses, and academic activities.

In addition, I maintain regular contact with the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as with various government agencies in my country, and with colleagues, universities, and organizations in several countries across the globe.

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Candidate CV

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