Who We Are
WFMH Board Candidates for Election
2025-2027
Roy Abraham Kallivayalil
Country: India
Region: Asia Pacific
Nominator: George Christodoulou
Candidate 1000 word statement
Your relevant experience in mental health advocacy, education and awareness and your personal experience and perspective that you would bring to the WFMH.
I have experience in mental health advocacy, education and awareness for more than three decades and I have been involved in the forefront in organising the WFMH World Mental Day programmes ever since its inception. It will be great opportunity for me to bring in my experience as the President/ Secretary General of various International and national organisations to WFMH and to bring in those perspectives which are beneficial to WFMH. The opportunity I had to work with other world organisations has sharpened my skills for effective communication at international level. This is an asset, which I am committed to fully utilise for WFMH. The valuable experience I have earned as a member of the WFMH Board and as Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific for two terms 2021-2023 and 2023- 2025 has helped to know intimately about the functioning of WFMH. I will use my diplomatic skills to resolve any situation of conflict or misunderstanding in the organisation or outside of it. If elected, I will take up my job with commitment and deal with all whom I come across on WFMH matters with appreciation, sensitivity and understanding.
Why you are interested in serving on the Board of the WFMH?
Because my more than two decades of association with WFMH, I am convinced WFMH has a crucial role to play in the advancement of mental health in the world. I believe WFMH can be made stronger, in countries and regions where it does not have adequate strength and resources. Special effort can be made to establish member organisations in countries where they do not exist now, on a platform of mutual trust and understanding. Mental health in all parts of the world and especially in neglected LAMI countries, should be given all encouragement.
List other organization and boards you have represented and any with the WFMH.
- Secretary General of WPA Geneva (2014-2020)
- President, World Association for Social Psychiatry, Paris (2016-2019)
- Secretary General, World Association for Social Psychiatry (2010-2013)
- President Indian Psychiatric Society (2012-2013) (member of WFMH)
- Secretary General Indian Psychiatric Society (2004-2006) (member of WFMH)
- President, India Association of Social Psychiatry (2010-11) (member WFMH)
- WFMH Board Member & Regional Vice- President (Asia-Pacific) 2021-2023 and 2023- 2025. I will put all this experience to the benefit WFMH at all levels.
Current type and length of WFMH membership
I have been associated with WFMH activities for more than two decades. In 2002 while I was the Secretary General, Indian Psychiatric Society became a voting member of the WFMH. In May 2014, I had participated as a special invitee in the Board Meeting of WFMH held during APA Congress at New York. I have participated and presented paper at the WFMH sponsored IMH Congress, Lille France in April 2015 and the Malta Congress in Dec 2018. I was part of the WFMH Congress New Delhi in November 2017 and was presented the Award for meritorious services to mental health by the President of India. We are also observing the World Mental Health Day in a befitting manner in India for the last 25 years. I am serving as President of the National Alliance for Mental Health, India since 2009 (a voting member of WFMH). I have presented symposium representing WFMH at WPA Congress Bangkok 2022, Kolkata 2023, Vienna 2024 and WASP Congress London 2023. Besides I have attended the WFMH General Assembly at London 2022 and all virtual WFMH Board meetings 2021- 2025.
Areas where you intend to contribute to the functioning and betterment of the WFMH
Mental Health Legislation, which is progressive, in all the countries, Anti-Stigma campaign to root out long standing prejudices against mental illness, Mental health as priority especially in the LAMI countries Collaboration with NGOs, Carers and Users and Media, Fighting for the rights and dignity of users, carers, families and Ensuring human rights of the mentally ill.
As WFMH Board Member I have organized the World Mental Day on Oct 10, 2022, 2023 and 2024 in the Asia-Pacific region in grand scales. We have also organized “Window to mental health” a rehabilitation and anti-stigma programme in India, an Asia-Pacific seminar on “It is time to prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace” at NIMHANS Bangalore in Oct 2024, World Alzheimer’s day observance and participated in Anti-drug abuse parliament. I have also brought in Indian Association of Social Psychiatry as a voting member of WFMH and constituted the Asia- Pacific Advisory committee, which is very active.
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 will identify myself as an MH professional, psychiatrist, President of mental health NGO and mental health advocate the specific skills that you wish to bring to WFMH.
Advocacy, communication, diplomacy, collaboration and vast experience of 40 years as a leader, researcher and teacher in mental health.
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 willing to participate in Board Meetings held at specific meeting sites, on conference calls and/or with email communication and there are no issues that would prevent me from being available for these meetings.
Candidate additional statement if provided
I was honoured to serve as the President of the World Association for Social Psychiatry, Paris (2016-2019) and Secretary General of World Psychiatric Association Geneva (2014-2020) and as the Secretary General of the South Asian Psychiatric Federation (2004-2006). Besides I have served as President of Indian Psychiatric Society (2012-2013) and Indian Association of Social Psychiatry- both member societies of WPA and WFMH.
This opportunity with many world organisations has sharpened my skills for effective communication at international level. This is an asset, which I am committed to fully utilise for WFMH. The valuable experience I have earned as a member of the Board and as Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific has helped me to know intimately about the functioning of WFMH.
If elected, I will be honoured to serve WFMH in executive roles including that of the President-elect and will take up my job with commitment and utmost sincerity.