“… all are affected by the trauma whether they are harmed directly by it or come from the outside to help. There are no medications or safety precautions that can protect the doctor and the patient from the overwhelming emotional distress of human tragedy on a large scale. General awareness of the powerful forces operating in this new historical environment is limited and often non­existent among policy planners, humanitarian aid workers, and the survivors themselves. This has led to the lack of a coherent humanistic and scientific plan of action.” Richard F. Mollica, MD, MAR

Natural disasters and violence facing the world today are occurring at a pace which far surpasses the resources and people mobilized to deal with the health and mental health effects of the trauma.  It is time that there be a global conversation to develop policies and best practices for governments and Non-Governmental Agencies (NGOs) to minimize the cost in health and productivity. There is a direct impact from the prevalence of trauma seen in all of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  All 17 areas are negatively affected by a population that has to deal with ongoing stress reactions and uncertainty. Governments who ignore that impact do so to the detriment of their ability to thrive.  We will start the conversation and come up with a Call to Action to begin the process of healing for our world. As global citizens, we will unite to begin developing guidelines and build awareness of the cost we are all paying by ignoring the role governments and other global entities can play in minimizing trauma and its effects.

The Summit will utilize Open Space Technology (OST). This format allows for complex and conflicted issues to be dealt with productively in an environment of respect, hope, trust and even a degree of intimacy. There are no Key Speakers, no agenda except to develop a Call to Action for all governments and non-governmental agencies (NGOs).  We will take these three days to fuel hearts, minds and souls for the important work and opportunities that await us all.

Come join us for the First International Trauma Summit hosted by the World Federation for Mental Health. We will raise awareness, develop a Call to Action and begin the conversation of change for our world!