WFMH Board Candidates for Election

2025-2027

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Candidate 1000 word statement

Mental health is nowadays a major topic and a priority worldwide. Any of us can develop a mental health condition any time through our life span. I am aware that it is very important to be active in associations in the field of mental health, including in global context. That is why I am running for this management position in the World Federation for Mental Health.

The World Federation for Mental Health Has been working since shortly after the Second World War to ensure that people with mental disorders are represented and supported. Among other fields, the World Federation for Mental Health support prevention activities, which is of utmost importance.

During my professional career I have acquired and accumulated the following experience:

Serving as a United Nations Special rapporteur on the right to physical and mental health (2014-2020) and presenting the reports, many of them on focus to mental health and human rights, with conclusions and recommendations to the UN Member states and other stakeholders

Working as a mental health professional, including the position of a Consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist in Vilnius university hospital.

Teaching as a professor of Vilnius university, psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, public mental health to students (medicine, psychology, social work, special education) and mental health professionals.

Actively contributing with my expertize and experience to the development of mental health policies and services in Lithuania and other countries (with focus on the region of Central and Eastern Europe).

Serving as a member of the UN Committee on the right of the child (2007-2011) and raising importance of mental health and emotional wellbeing of children worldwide, in the regions and in each country.

Collaborating with the World Health Organization on many occasions (serving as a National counterpart for mental health, contributing as an independent expert to WHO guidances and other documents).

Experience in leadership of professional organizations: President of Lithuanian Psychiatric Association (1990-1992), member of the Board of Lithuanian Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Society.

Active involvement in activities of non-governmental organizations in the field of human rights, mental health, psychosocial and intellectual disabilities. Founder and Honorary Board member of the Lithuanian welfare society for persons with intellectual disabilities „Viltis“ („Hope“), Member of Board and Director (2018-2023) of the Human rights monitoring institute.

I am interested in serving on the Board of the WFMH because I believe that my experience and expertise can be effectively used in the activities of the WFMH. With my experience I could represent the WFMH and contribute to the process of developments in global mental health, especially with regard to promotion of the human rights based approach and fruitful cooperation with different stakeholders.

I have been a member or board member of these organizations: UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, UN Special procedures, UN Voluntary Fund for technical cooperation in the field of human rights, Global initiative on psychiatry, Mental disability advocacy center, Human rights monitoring institute, Mental health perspectives.

Areas where I intend to contribute to the functioning of the WFMH: supporting global, regional and national activities and contributing to concerted efforts of stakeholders to advance

a) mental health promotion and prevention, including prevention of suicide and all forms of violence;

b) development of child and adolescent friendly mental health services;

c)development of human rights based non-coercive mental health services for persons with psychosocial disabilities and other mental health conditions;

d) changes in training of mental health professionals.

My most important experience that could be used in the activities of the WFMH is experience and expertize after serving 6 years as a UN Special rapporteur on the right to physical and mental health. In my thematic reports to the UN I have formulated position of the mandate for the field of mental health and human rights, thus contributing to the global discourse on important issues, such as coercion in mental health care, role of biomedical model in mental healthcare, mental health care and deprivation of liberty, right to mental health in early childhood and in adolescence. My reports on mental health and related issues, presented to the UN Human Rights Council and UN General Assembly in 2014- 2020, are considered to be important documents by different stakeholders. During the recent years (2022-2025), I have been invited for keynote presentations to the conferences and other events to differents countries, such as Australia, Brazil, Chile, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom,

More information on my activities and legacy in the position of the UN Special rapporteur can be found in this link: https: //www.handover-dialogues.org/legacy/

I identify myself as a mental health professional, as my backgroud and my main work is that of child and adolescent psychiatrist. However, I also have much experience of direct involvement as an active member of civil society and NGOs, human rights activist, researcher, manager of mental health services and independent expert. For many years I continue to combine my active involvement in clinical, academic, advocacy activities on national, regional and international levels. This kind of my rich experience in networking with different stakeholders could bring added value to the activities of the WFMH.

I am very interested in participating in the WFMH working groups with the WHO and the UN bodies and mechanisms.

I am willing and ready to participate in Board meetings held at specific meeting sites, on conference calls and with email communications.

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Candidate additional statement if provided

 

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Candidate CV

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