From the Editor: October 2021

Dedicated to World Mental Health Day, the 8th edition of our WONCA News gathers advocacy efforts from various colleagues from all over the world in support of mental health. As every year, on October 10, WONCA joined this celebration that represents a global commitment to raise awareness of mental health issues. A special thanks to the members of our WONCA Working Party on Mental Health, particularly to the WP Outcoming Chair, Prof Chris Dowrick and his successor, Prof Christos Lionis.

About this Issue

WONCA News October begins with a meaningful message from WONCA President Dr Donald Li, in advance of the WONCA World Council and election process of the five positions to be voted on this decisive meeting.

In our section, From the Headquarters, find the latest update on our WONCA World Conference 2021, to be held fully ONLINE from 22–27 November 2021. We also invite you to discover the WONCA Annual Report 2020 – 2021, an overview of WONCA's global activities and our main achievements from July 2020 to June 2021.

WONCA News for October also contains information on our upcoming WONCA World Rural Health Conference 2022 in Limerick, Ireland.

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, this edition for October also presents the reflections of WONCA President-Elect, Dr Anna Stavdal, on the role of family doctors in the development of better care for diverse mental health conditions. You will also find all the details of this year’s WHO campaign “Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality”; a glimpse to the document “Mental Health in an Unequal World: Together we can make a difference”, produced by the World Federation for Mental Health, with important collaborations from members of our Working Party on Mental Health; and a special piece on the efforts to enhance healthcare workers mental health with yoga and music, by composer, therapist and teacher, Arnab Bishnu Chowdhury (India).

To close this issue, meet our Featured Doctors: Dr Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng from Ghana and Dr Gobith Ratnasingam from Sri Lanka. Also, do not miss out on the most recent announcements from members of the WONCA Family.

I hope you enjoy this issue, and please remember that you can drop me a line (or an article!) at [email protected]

Happy reading, and stay safe!