June President's Message
Dear fellow Balinters worldwide:
I’ve just returned to Denver from a lengthy but inspiring 2 weeks of travel, first to our IBF Council Meeting hosted by the British Balint Society in Newcastle and next to a meeting of the Chinese Balint Federation in Beijing.
The Newcastle Council meeting was held in the context of a Balint Weekend that was very well attended with about 90 participants. Strikingly there were many young mental health specialists present, which was really great to see. There appears to be a resurgence of interest in the Balint method in the mental health community in the UK, and the group work reflected the interest and energy of these new participants.
Our Council meeting addressed many details, for which I refer you to the minutes. Most notably we heard an informative and spirited presentation on next year’s Congress by the organizing team from Metz, France. We got a little French lesson as a part of this, learning that the correct pronunciation of “metz” is “mess!” This promises to be another excellent Congress, and I commend Jean-Daniel Gradeler and the entire team on the fantastic work they have already done. Mark your calendars now for 5-9 September, 2015.
After the Newcastle meeting, I joined 6 other “Western” Balint leaders at the 4th Annual Chinese Balint Federation in Beijing. The meeting was attended by roughly 90 Chinese doctors and mental health specialists from all over China. Presentations were given by both Chinese and some of us “Western” leaders. We held 3 fishbowl style demonstration groups and multiple longitudinal Balint groups for leaders and other attendees. All sessions and groups featured outstanding translation by Chinese colleagues.
I was overwhelmed by the keen interest and enthusiasm of our Chinese colleagues for Balint work. They work under often extremely challenging circumstances, with lengthy queues of patients each day. Balint work clearly provides a needed method for addressing communication and burnout. I often say that the closest professional bonds I feel are with those with Balint colleagues. We share a special bond that is tied to this work. This feeling was strongly reinforced by the hospitality and warmth of Dr. Wei Jing, the host and President of the Chinese Balint Federation, the conference team and entire group of participants. Balint truly breaks through all cultural and language differences. To our new Balint friends in China, I say a heartfelt, “Xie xie!” (Thank you!)
Best wishes to you all and may your work be sustaining and fruitful!
Don
