Asociación Argentina Trastornos del Humor (ASATHU):
Argentine Society for Bipolar Disorders
Mission: The Argentine Society for Bipolar Disorders defines its goals as:
- To maintain and enlarge a research network among Argentine mental health professionals interested in bipolar disorders.
- To promote awareness and education about bipolar disorder in the Argentine medical community.
- To increase efforts in building psychoeducation and community resources for the Argentine bipolar patient.
- To help in the promotion of ISBD values, publications, and activities.
- To promote the ISBD among psychiatric colleagues and increase the number of active members.
President: Dr. Gustavo Vázquez
Meeting: The Society will hold the IV Iberoamerican Conference on Bipolar Disorders from April 28th-29th, 2011, in Córdoba, Argentina.
Announcements:
Congreso Internacional: ASATHU Cosponsored Meeting (in Spanish only)
IV Iberoamerican Conference on Bipolar Disorders: ASATHU Biennial Meeting
News:
Sao Paulo, Brazil, the ISBD 4TH Biennial Conference, 17-21 MARCH 2010
By Enrique “Topo” Rodriguez
It was a great privilege indeed to have been invited by the International Society for Bipolar Disorders to participate and to deliver a presentation on its ADVOCACY GROUPS segment on Friday 19th March, 2010 at the Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo Hotel. A sea of over 800 delegates from the 4 corners of the globe was present. It was a lively and colourful event decorated with the Brazilian charm and rhythm. Learning was fast and furious, and meeting and greeting and remembering names was quite a challenge; nevertheless, this was a very beneficial and eye opening networking experience for me. During 3 ½ days I was immersed in psychiatry, mental illness, and mental health concepts, with no time for beach or shopping, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. I’m already looking forward to the ISBD 5th Biennial Conference - Istanbul March 2012 and others in between, including the next ISBD Argentine Chapter meeting in Cordoba, Argentina April 2011.
Advocacy Groups - Mental Health Management Plans
I feel that more Consumer Advocates participation is needed for better representation of this sector. Perhaps the ISBD Committee may consider providing some “stimulus or incentive” for future conferences, so different Advocacy Groups may be more involved in sharing their rich experiences. Professionals and the pharmaceutical industry are already there, I think an opening in this regard will go long way to bring everyone a bit closer. At the end of the day we all are part of one big family/industry that needs to maintain at the very least a good level of communication. My presentation (in Australian English) was centred on “Mental Health Management” - A 360º X 365 day - 24 hour Approach, Through Wellbeing Plans (WBP’s). These empowering WBP’s are not new, in fact Buddhism and Holistic practitioners have been talking about it for many years. However, the intensity and commitment to embrace these WBP’s are just as important as the plans themselves. WBP’s are to be prepared and implemented by the consumers, service user, patients (whichever name is preferred). The preparation phase can definitely be done with the help/input of a professional, friend, carer or family member. Beginning from the premise that there is no definite cure for the illness, the next best thing is management or control of the condition and /or symptoms to achieve whatever level of wellness possible. We like to talk about “RELATIVE NORMALITY” (Euthymia) that accommodates for a more flexible level of wellness/illness. We believe this can be achieved with a dedicated watchful eye from the consumer. This is a good starting point that everyone else involved in the recovery paradigm/team can follow.
In some of the cases, by activating these “Wellbeing Plans,” life improves dramatically; so much so that many consumers experience a “new meaningful life” they had never known before! Proactive strategies and personal choices will slowly but surely lead us into the path towards HARMONY, PEACE, TRANQUILITY and RESTFULNESS. Hopefully as a consequence of this process/journey we will self-generate the much needed self-esteem and resilience to meet our own challenges through a “healthy lifestyle”, peace and happiness for mind, body and soul. The above reference to self-generation of self-esteem is a crucial point because we must become responsible for all our actions, although we must never hesitate to rally support for our cause and work with the WE/TEAMWORK concept. Inter-disciplinary strategies are well known in psychiatry, but often the “internal power search” creates confusion, frustration and mismanagement within the recovery team.
THE RECOVERY TEAM
The first natural Captain of the RECOVERY TEAM must be the consumer himself/herself. However, if the person is unwell and unable to assume this role, either a family member or an apt friend is the best choice. It is important to note here that a family member often can be the original source of trauma. Equally, a soft, loving friend (or partner) may not be the best choice to call the shots when a firm direction is needed. Every team member is to be “the expert voice” in its particular area/position. Nonetheless, others’ opinions are very valuable and needed for consideration to reach a well-informed consensus. Experience and commitment are also a very important part of the equation, and no one more than “the patient” is committed to his/her health and recovery. Through the years we all accumulate a wealth of experience, this should never be discarded.
THE EVENT
The Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo Hotel was the conference venue, even though I didn’t stay there simply due to tight NGO finances, I certainly enjoyed this magnificent hotel and the wonderful organisation and hosting by the very capable events-professionals in ICMS. I’m well aware that when handling large groups of people it is very hard to keep everybody happy. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Michael Berk and his Committee for the invitation to present on behalf of TF4E and my congratulations for this “monster” event that, as mentioned before, attracted a big crowd of more than 800 delegates. The program was demanding, varied and also satisfying. As a member of the ISBD organisation I call to continue moving forward, well done! I’m mindful that not many Consumer Advocates enjoy these opportunities, so I’ve embraced them wholeheartedly; consumers’ participation is a must. We are living in very competitive times, where everyone and everything counts and we are quite often forced to preserve resources in the name of “competitiveness” thus, the notion of “teamwork” (in our opinion) fits perfectly well within our “recovery paradigm”. I’ve learnt these old principles during many years of playing rugby as a front-row-forward. See you in Istanbul March 2012!
Enrique "Topo" Rodriguez is one of the founders and current CEO of the Topo Foundation for EDUCATION (www.TF4E.org) based in Sydney, Australia.