Mental Health care is a collective and continuous undertaking. It implies acting to preserve and recover that which makes people human. It also requires a healthy and peaceful environment in which all people may prosper, where tolerance is generalized, and violence diminished.

World Health Day 2001

World Health Day 2001 is dedicated to Mental Health. The Day is part of a systematic process for awareness raising and advocacy aimed at improving the mental health situation world-wide. It is a unique opportunity to bring attention to mental health issues and reach the usually unreachable.

On 7 April 2001, all peoples and governments around the world will observe World Health Day. This year is devoted to mental health. We focus on mental health in recognition of the burden that mental and brain disorders pose on people and families affected by them, and with the aim to highlight the important advances made by researchers and clinicians in reducing suffering and the accompanying disability. Click here to read the full text of the message from Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of the World Health Organization, for World Health Day 2001.

April 7 marks the observance of World Health Day, which focuses this year on the theme of mental health. This is a unique opportunity to work together to improve mental health, one of the most important public health issues for our people. Click here to read the full text of the message from Dr. George A. O. Alleyne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization, for World Health Day 2001.

2001 is a year of transcendental importance for mental health. Click here to read the full text of the message from Dr. José Miguel Caldas de Almeida, Mental Health Program Coordinator, Division of Health Promotion and Protection, Pan American Health Organization, for World Health Day 2001.

Millions of people suffering from mental disorders have no access to the necessary treatments. Exclusion and violation of human rights continue to be common among people with mental health problems.

• "World Health Day 2001" Mental Health in the Americas: New Challenges in a New Millennium (Power Point: 1618 KB)

• "World Health Day 2001" Mental Health: Myths and Reality (Word doc.)

• "World Health Day 2001" Mental Health: Main Disorders (Word doc.)

ENGLISH

Mental Health: Stop exclusion - Dare to care. [PDF: 566 KB]

ESPAÑOL

Salud Mental: Sí a la atención, no a la exclusión. [PDF: 593 KB]

PORTUGUÊS

Saúde Mental: Cuidar, sim. Excluir, não. [PDF: 382 KB]

FRANÇAIS

Santé Mentale: Non à l'exclusion Oui aux soins. [PDF: 411 KB]

Pan American Health Organization calls for increased attention to mental health problems throughout the Americas for World Health Day 2001: The Pan American Health Organization today called for increased attention to mental health problems throughout the Americas for World Health Day April 7, which focuses this year on the theme of mental health.(2/Apr/2001) (more)

World Health Day 2001 Observance Set April 6 at Pan American Health Organization With U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher: U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher is set to give the keynote address at the United States observance of World Health Day this year on Friday, April 6 at 9:30 a.m. at the Pan American Health Organization.(30/Mar/2001) (more)

-- More Press Releases --

GLOBAL SCHOOL CONTEST FOR WORLD HEALTH DAY 2001

This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) organized a global contest to commemorate the theme of Mental Health. The objective of the contest is to provide an opportunity for youth to discuss their understanding of mental health and mental/brain disorders in a manner conducive to free expression of their ideas and feelings.

In the Region, we counted with participation of students from Belize, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, United States, US Virgin Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

There will be a winner per category (Drawing Contest, 250-word-Essay Contest, and 500-word-Essay Contest). Country winners will be chosen by the WHO Country Offices. Regional Winners will be chosen by the six WHO Regional Offices. To view more information on the contest click here.

-- More on "World Health Day 2001" activities in the Region --

Presentation of the Mental Health Program, Division of Health Promotion and Protection and the Department of Legal Affairs of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), 110 Session of the IACHR, 28 February 2001. Situation of the Persons with Mental Disabilities in the Hemisphere. Click here to read the full presentation in Word format.

Learn more about various World Health Organization activities, to commemorate World Health Day 2001 around the World.