The Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programmes was founded in 2004.  Its objective is to make a contribution to the improvement and promotion of mental health programmes worldwide. It aims to achieve its goals by means of consultation, by organizing talks and seminars, by initiating and coordinating studies and other theoretical and practical work, and by any other appropriate means that can improve the care of people with mental illness and their families and raise the value given to mental health by individuals and societies.

Any person in good standing can apply for membership by sending a written application for membership to the president of the Association.  The members of the Association must pay subscription fees and contributions laid down by the Board. Each member must, in addition, devote one unpaid week per year of his/her time to the activities of the Association.  Acceptance to membership of the Association is decided during the Associations’ General Assembly. The Association is administered by a Board composed of five people, appointed in the first instance by the founding members. The Board comprises a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and two members. The current president of the Association is Professor Norman Sartorius. The Statutes of the Association are presented under Legal Aspects. The Association is administered by a Board composed of five people, appointed in the first instance by the founding members.