As Joint Chair of the WFMH & World Dignity Project Steering Committee it is an honor and privilege to invite you to London for the WFMH World Congress 2022.
I know that the last two years have been very difficult and challenging for many people and especially so for those people with mental health difficulties, their families and loved ones. Mental health services have been stretched and sometimes unavailable for many people. However, with the vaccination programme, we can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

As travel restrictions in the UK have been modified from 11 January 2022 many people will be able to travel to the UK during 2022 and I look forward to welcoming you to the WFMH World Congress held in partnership with the World Dignity Project at Central Westminster Hall London UK from 28 June 2022 to 1 July 2022. We are also very lucky to be supported by Phase 20 Events, an experienced congress organizer with offices in a variety of countries, including London and Madrid.      

Central Westminster Hall has a special place in the history of mental health advocacy as it is where in the aftermath of the second world war the World Federation for Mental Health was launched in 1948 with an emphasis on world citizenship, “a common humanity” respecting individual and cultural differences, with the ultimate goal of mental health “to help men to live with their fellows in one world.”
The COVID 19 pandemic has taken a terrible toll on people’s mental health and, according to the United Nations Secretary-General, António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, the mental health impact of COVID 19 may last far longer than the pandemic itself. We therefore need to come together to act, and to act very quickly.

This World Congress on 28 June to 1 July 2022 provides an opportunity for all stakeholders with an interest in mental health wellbeing to come together. 

Please remember that no one is immune from mental distress or mental illness and no one should suffer alone.

Book your flights and accommodation in good time as London will be busy as we join with the rest of the UK and the Commonwealth to celebrate and mark the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II. 

Looking forward to seeing you all

Professor Gabriel Ivbijaro MBE
Joint Chair Steering Committee

Professor N. Sartorius, MD, PhD, FRCPsych.
 

It is wonderful news that the World Federation of Mental Health will organize its World Congress in London this summer.  

The Federation is unique in its mission and in its capacity to bring together people belonging to different professions and different cultures all united by their wish to promote mental health. 

Bringing people together and inspiring them to work with each other to prevent mental illness and promote mental health is never more important than when the world is fighting a major disaster, the horrors of a war or a pandemic of illness which not only kills but also counts among its dangerous consequences a significant increase of numbers of people struck by common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression and an epidemic of intrafamilial violence and substance abuse.

I am certain that the World Congress of Mental Health in London 2022 will continue the noble tradition of the World Federation of Mental Health and not only present new knowledge about ways of promoting mental health but also offer opportunities to make or renew friendships and collaboration of all concerned because the problems which we are now facing are too large to be tackled by any one group or profession or country alone. 

With kindest regards

Professor N. Sartorius, MD, PhD, FRCPsych.
Joint Chair Steering Committee 
President 
Action for Mental Health