The Sixth World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and ...

Compounding these disparities are the effects of both natural and man-made disasters, he added. Events
such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and oil spills have had severe economic and ecological impacts. War and
conflict have contributed stress and turmoil to already disadvantaged areas, as have the effects of
population increases and climate change. <strong>The</strong>refore, according to Dr. Durie, addressing disparities in
health and mental health requires not only responding to immediate needs, but also promoting resilience
and encouraging participation through family and community to bridge the gaps.
On Thursday, SAMHSA’s Administrator Pamela Hyde welcomed participants with an announcement of
new data from the Healthy Adults project, highlighting research and findings on mental health promotion
in the United States. According to Ms. Hyde, facing the challenges of mental illness and behavioral health
disorders requires addressing issues, including substance abuse and suicide, with evidence-based
practices rooted in clear data. SAMHSA will be working in alignment with the Affordable Health Care Act
to translate research into practice, disseminate information, and implement programs, through measures
such as capacity building and workforce development, for wide-scale adoption. Prevention, treatment,
and recovery are the key steps.
Tanya Brown followed with a personal recounting of her struggles with depression and addiction, which
had begun in her early teens. After the tragic death of her sister, Nicole, these struggles intensified. She
emphasized that recovery can only begin with self-awareness. Prevention also requires insight and
understanding. She urged participants to fight stigma by continuing to speak publicly about mental health
issues, recognizing resiliency, and raising awareness of pathways for recovery.
<strong>The</strong> afternoon session on Indigenous & Aboriginal Mental Health was led by Dr. Rose Weahkee from the
US Indian Health Service Headquarters Division of Behavioral Health and Dr. Michael DeGagné from the
Aboriginal Healing Foundation in Canada. <strong>The</strong>y spoke about the effects of historical trauma in native
populations in North America, stressing the importance of incorporating traditional practices and cultural
understanding to promote healing and well being, not only for individuals, but also in communities. <strong>The</strong>
legacy of the Indian boarding schools in Canada, Dr. DeGagné noted, has included cycles of abuse,
generational lack of parenting skills, and substance abuse, as children were forced to attend the boarding
schools at a young age. He highlighted the use of traditional drumming sessions in one community, which
succeeded in engaging troubled tribal members where other methods had not.
On Friday, November 19, the program opened with Professor Helen Herrman (WHO Collaborating
Centre, Australia) and Mr. Michael Murray (Clifford Beers Foundation, United Kingdom) who presented a
report from the Global Consortium for Advancement of Promotion and Prevention in Mental Health. <strong>The</strong>
Consortium acts as a vehicle for information sharing and collaboration, to encourage communication and
cooperation for promotion and prevention. A primary task has been to look at the need for mental health
promotion and prevention in low-to-middle income countries and for indigenous and disadvantaged
populations and communities in all countries.
One key question under consideration by the Consortium is how to balance resources for the promotion
of good mental health and healthy communities with the needs of people with mental health problems and
disorders. Additional issues to be addressed, Prof. Herrman noted, include the kind of partnerships and
structural and organizational changes that will be needed to effect change moving forward. In relation to
these issues, Mr. Michael Murray spoke about planning for the next conference, scheduled for 2012 in
Perth, Australia. Noting how the conference series has evolved since its inauguration at the Carter Center
in Atlanta, 2000, he encouraged current attendees to consider ways to involve an even wider range of
participants.
Next on the program was the plenary session, Responding to Natural and Human-made Disasters, given
by Dr. Barbara Lopes Cardozo from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Cardozo
focused on the traumatic effects on mental health caused by wars and violent conflict, which according to
data from the CDC, can be as significant as with natural disasters. <strong>The</strong> effects may include anxiety
disorders, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); mood disorders, such as depression; and the
exacerbation of pre-existing mental disorders. Cultural differences in how disorders are manifested are
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