The International Mental Health Collaborating Network (Mental Health and Citizenship) has had the objective of strengthening its voice to reach every continent and country in the world. We have therefore decided to create a world wide Advisory Board as a way to involve more active and innovative people in mental health from countries around the world.
Many people who support and practice a community mental health agenda are looking for an organisation that can promote and foster their experiences as well as providing them with new ideas and support. Recently in Trieste (International Conference : What is Mental Health 9-13 February 2010) the IMHCN was recognised as being an organisation that could act as an umbrella for other networks in various countries and regions of the world. This is also the reason why we have created this IMHCN Advisory Board. In this way key people from these other networks can be actively involved by bringing their own network activities to the benefit of others around the world.
This new Advisory Board will act as a reference group to support and advise the IMHCN on its activities, programs, policy formulation, service development, training activities, human rights promotion, advocacy, public education, recovery approaches, social inclusion.
Members of the Advisory Board would also provide their own particular experience and expertise in Community Mental Health policy, service development, training programs and research. They will also bring their experience from their own country’s culture and situation.
We also wish to attract to this Advisory Board members that can provide a broad spectrum of experience to represent the components of a Whole Life-Recovery approach to community mental health.
People with particular expertise and experience will be a valuable contributor to this Advisory Board and we will continue to invite new members to enrich it.