AIMS
and ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS
The World Association
for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH) is a not-for-profit organization
for scientific and educational professionals. WAIMH's central aim
is to promote the mental wellbeing and healthy development of infants
throughout the world, taking into account cultural, regional, and
environmental variations, and to generate and disseminate scientific
knowledge.
More specifically, WAIMH
seeks to facilitate:
§ Increased knowledge
about mental development and disorder in children from conception
to three years of age;
§ The dissemination
of scientific knowledge about services for care, intervention and
prevention of mental disorder, and impairment in infancy;
§ The dissemination
of eveidence-based knowledge about ways to support the developmental
transition to parenthood, as well as the healthy aspects of parenting
and caregiving environments;
§ The international
cooperation of professionals concerned with promoting the optimal
development of infants, as well as the prevention and treatment of
mental disorders in the early years;
§ Aspects of research,
education, and interventions in the above areas.
General
Organization, Content Areas, and Activities
WAIMH is a membership
association. Individuals from all parts of the world who are willing
to promote the achievement of WAIMH's goals, as noted above, are invited
to become members of the association. Content areas that guide members
in accomplishing WAIMH's goals include the following:
a) development
of infants and families;
b) psychopathology of infancy and toddlerhood;
c) interventions, both preventive and therapeutic;
d) parent and caregiver education;
e) professional education and knowledge exchange;
f) cultural influences;
g) biological influences; and
h) social and public policy.
WAIMH pursues its
goals by:
Organizing
international congresses and regional meetings;
Publishing The Signal, a quarterly newsletter for members;
Sponsoring the Infant Mental Health Journal
Supporting existing and new regional and/or national affiliates;
Maintaining an information repository Web site;
Collaborating with other organizations;
Establishing task forces, study groups, and committees;
Carrying out special projects.