Darlyne G. Nemeth, Ph.D., M.P., M.P.A.P., Co-Secretary General of the World Council for Psychotherapy, Member of the American Psychological Association’s Council of Representatives, with Welcome words to the I World Congress’s participants.

“As Co-Secretary General of the World Council for Psychotherapy, and as a member of the American Psychological Association’s Council of Representatives, I feel honored to have been selected to be a member of the International Organizing Committee for the I World Congress on Mental Health, which is scheduled to convene in October 2016 in Moscow, Russia. The theme of this Congress, “Meeting the Needs of the XXI Century,” is so timely.

By 2020, the World Health Organization predicts that depression is expected to be the 2nd leading cause of disability worldwide. According to recent Kaiser-Permanente studies, approximately 50% of individuals seeking services from a primary care physician present with depression. Therefore, the development and implementation of an integrated health care policy for the 21st century must be enacted now.

As a Clinical, Medical, & Neuropsychologist prescribing in the State of Louisiana in the United States of America, I have advocated for the use of psychotherapy as a primary healing intervention over the past 40 years. Significant stressors are upon us all—from environmental issues, to economic issues, to interpersonal and intrapersonal crises, etc.–there is much to be done to help people cope with our ever-changing world.

Resilience is the key. As resilience is a biopsychosocial phenomenon, it must be fostered on all three of these levels. Psychotherapy can be an effective tool in this regard.

My current two-volume anthology, “Ecopsychology: Advances from the Intersection of Psychology and Environmental Protection,” published in 2015 by ABC-CLIO/Praeger addresses the importance of environmental issues, therapeutic leadership, and interpersonal connection.  My forthcoming book, “Innovative Approaches to Individual and Community Resilience: From Theory to Practice,” to be published by Elsevier Press in 2017, will address and foster the importance of resilience for individual and community well-being.

I look forward to working with you at the 2016 World Congress in Moscow”.

Please visit the I World Congress’s website to access online registration for the congress program, including detailed information and registration options: www.mental-health-congress.ru/en/