Reception at the Australian Ambassador’s Residence
The World Federation for Mental Health held a reception at the Australian Ambassador’s residence in Washington D.C. on 16 October in recognition of the next World Congress, to be held in Melbourne (21-26 February 2003). The Congress is being organized under the auspices of the Mental Health Foundation of Australia and an organizing committee headed by Professor Graham Burrows.
The occasion also honored this year’s World Mental Health Day campaign, and it was announced that the theme of children’s mental health would be carried forward for another year. The 2002 campaign examined the effects of trauma and violence on children. The expanded campaign will give the Federation an opportunity to highlight other concerns in children’s mental health, with a focus on serious emotional and behavioral disorders. A new group of public education materials will be prepared for international distribution.
Deborah Thawley, the Ambassador’s wife, greeted the Federation’s guests with the Deputy Chief of Mission, Peter Baxter. The host, Australian Ambassador Michael Thawley, was called away to deal with matters arising from the bomb explosion in Bali a few days before, in which many tourists from his country were killed or injured.
Mr. Baxter gave a presentation about WFMH’s forthcoming Congress in Melbourne, then went on to speak movingly about the size of the disaster in Bali in relation to Australia’s small population, and the grief of families over the loss of many young people.
At the reception in the Australian Ambassador’s residence:
WFMH Secretary-General/CEO Preston J. Garrison,
Benard S. Arons, M.D., Senior Science Advisor
to the Director, U.S. National Institutes of Health,
and WFMH President Elect Patt Franciosi
The reception was an occasion for the new Secretary General/CEO, Preston Garrison, to meet with mental health leaders and WFMH members from the Washington area. He gave brief remarks at the gathering about his hopes for the future of the organization. President Elect Patt Franciosi spoke about plans for World Mental Health Day in 2003, and presented a special award to Richard Hunter as the founder of the Day, which has been celebrated since 10 October 1992. Since then the event has grown from a one-day celebration into a year-round campaign for mental health education, involving an ever-expanding list of countries.
Richard Hunter received a special award at the reception
as the founder of World Mental Health Day.
Local organizers of mental health programs are encouraged to contact the Secretariat to endorse this year’s World Mental Health Day campaign or to place their names on the mailing list for the 2003 planning kit:
WFMH
P.O.Box 16810
Alexandria, VA 22302-0810
USA
Email: [email protected]