Health researchers to address mental health concerns at world conference

More than 500 mental health researchers, practitioners, and advocates representing over 40 countries will gather for the Sixth World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders, November 17–19, 2010, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. With the theme Addressing Imbalances: Promoting Equity in Mental Health, the conference will focus on inequalities in care, research, and practice in ways that protect the most vulnerable.

Previous conferences in this biennial conference series have been held in Australia (2008), Norway (2006), New Zealand (2004), England (2002), and the United States (2000). Unique this year will be a focus on inequities in how mental health is promoted, and how mental illness is prevented and treated. Also new will be sessions on mental health and anxiety surrounding world economic woes, rising costs of living, and financial debt, as well as issues stemming from war, and natural and man-made disasters.

"With the recent economic crisis, global sensitivity about the impact on health and mental health has been heightened, especially for those who are often marginalized." said Jerry Reed who directs the Center for the Study and Prevention of Injury, Violence, and Suicide at the Massachusetts-based Education Development Center, Inc., a conference co-sponsor.

The conference will present ways to promote equity in mental health, such as balancing the emphasis on prevention as well as treatment; achieving parity in reimbursement for care; redressing generations of trauma for indigenous peoples; and recognizing and responding to the interrelationship of physical and mental health.

Speakers will also address such topics as:

• Taking a community approach to preventing teen suicide
• Promotion of mental health in the workplace
• Sustaining school mental health programs
• Mental health concerns in indigenous communities
• Results from psychotherapy for torture survivors
• Reducing stress in paramilitary force personnel

Building on the foundations created by the five previous world conferences, Addressing Imbalances will focus on steps that decision-makers and practitioners across sectors can take to create policies and programs to improve the mental health of millions of people.