Brain Education introduced at ECOSOC
Brain Education introduced at ECOSOC HIgh Level segment Side-eventon Mental Health and Global Public Health
GenEvA, Switzerland – July 6th, 2009
United Nations officials, public health experts, and preeminent neuroscientists gathered in Geneva on July 6th, 2009 to discuss Promoting Mental Health in the Context of Global Public Health.
Mental health is essential to global public health. As defined by the WHO, "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
Mental health is crucial to quality of life, prosperity and sustainable development. A concerted effort between nations, agencies, partners, and professionals to address mental health issues is necessary to promote cost-effective care. Research and public awareness are essential. Interventions such as early childhood education, the socio-economic empowerment of women, social support for elderly populations, mental health programs in schools and workplaces, violence prevention programs, and community development programs are low-cost, high impact evidence-based ways to support public mental health.
This event has been organized by the Korea Institute of Brain Sciences (KIBS), the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the UN (CoNGO), and the UN-NGO-IRENE Association.
Speakers included Ms. Hanifa Mezoui (President, UN-NGO-IRENE Association), Mr. Liberato Bautista (President of CoNGO), Ms. Janice Wood Wetzel(Main Representative, International Association of Schools of Social Work; Ex-Officio, NGO Committee on Mental Health – New York), Hon. Saida Agrebi, MP, (President of the Tunisian Mothers Association (ATM), UN-NGO-IRENE Coordinator for Africa),Dr. Maryana Winston,(MD,FAAP, Research Associate IBREA, USA)Dr. Kendall Ho, MD(FRCPC, Director, e-Health Strategy Office, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia), Dr. Torkel Klingberg, MD, PHD, (Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Sweden), and Mr. Ilchi Lee (President, Korea Institute of Brain Science, International Brain Education Association).
The event included a discussion of mental health issues as they relate to the development agenda, the interrelationship of mental health and global public health, modifiable factors and cost-effective interventions, successful cases, and global partnerships in the promotion of mental health.
“Brain Education” was discussed as a cost-effective intervention that is important in creating a healthy lifestyle by reducing both physical and mental health risks. Through a set of principles and practices focusing on the brain, Brain Education teaches us to tap into our brains innate and infinite potential for creating wellbeing and peacefulness.
Brain Education is a simple training approach that focuses on improving health through better use of the brain. It encompasses a simple combination of movements and cognitive training providing self management tools. The value of Brain Education was most recently recognized when New York City designated a “Brain Education Day” on Jan 8, 2009. Since 1990, Brain Education programs in schools, communities, services for the elderly, correctional facilities, military service, healthcare and work settings have reported success in promoting healthy lifestyles and public mental health. Mr. Liberato Bautista introduced the importance of addressing the issues of mental health at an individual level to overcome global issues. Dr. Klinberg introduced his research on brain training and its importance in mental health improvement of children affected with ADHD. The results presented emphasize the possibility of the brain to change when presented with appropriate stimulation.
Dr. Winston’s speech which focused on Brain Education as a solution to mental health global issues, introduced a call to engage with the “Brain Alliance Initiative”, an alliance of individuals and organizations uniting to promote awareness and effective utilization of the brain as a tool for global well being, human development and peace on the United Nations agenda.
Mr. Ilchi Lee (founder of the Brain Education system) after lifting the audience in a 3min experience of simple exercises, emphasized “the human brain is not just a medical or biological subject, it is the beginning of political, social and economic affairs and the best asset of human kind that we have to realize the value of and utilize well. It is time to change the way to use our brain”. This UN ECOSOC side event will be followed and actions implemented at the 1st Brain Alliance Initiative meeting which will be held at the Brain Art Festival sponsored by IBREA in New York on August 15th 2009.
For more information, please contact Dr. Passion Jun at jun@ibrea.org or 1-212-319-0848.