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Obituary: Professor Eliot Sorel (1940-2024)

On behalf of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) President, Prof. Danuta Wasserman


Professor Eliot Sorel

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Prof. Eliot Sorel, an extraordinary leader in global mental health, on 13th of October 2024, at the age of 84. Prof. Sorel was not only a pioneer in health systems performance and psychiatry but also a visionary whose dedication transformed the lives of countless individuals worldwide. His contributions to psychiatry and his steadfast commitment to public health will leave an indelible legacy for future generations.


As the founder and inspirational leader of the WPA Section on Conflict Resolution, Prof. Sorel championed the role of dialogue and peacebuilding in psychiatry. Through this initiative, he emphasised the critical role that mental health professionals play in mitigating the impacts of violence, trauma, and conflict, ensuring that these vital issues are at the forefront of global mental health discussions. His leadership in this section was pivotal, highlighting conflict resolution as not just a technical or therapeutic task, but as a necessary path to collective healing and societal progress. Under his guidance, psychiatrists—both seasoned and emerging—found opportunities for profound personal and professional growth, as they were inspired to tackle the mental health challenges brought on by conflict.


Prof. Sorel's love for his native Romania was unwavering, and he worked tirelessly to build bridges between Romania and the global psychiatric community. Over the years, he spearheaded the organisation of several WPA meetings in Romania, showcasing his commitment to promoting bidirectional collaboration between the country’s mental health professionals and their global counterparts. Through these efforts, Prof. Sorel not only brought Romania into the international psychiatric conversation but also enriched global psychiatry with the cultural and intellectual contributions of Romanian experts. His passion for connecting global psychiatry with his homeland reflected his deep belief in the power of international cooperation.


In addition to his role with the WPA, Prof. Sorel was an esteemed academic, serving as a Clinical Professor of Global Health, Health Policy & Management, and Psychiatry at The George Washington University. His innovative TOTAL Health model, integrating primary care, mental health, and public health, has been adopted as a groundbreaking template for collaborative care worldwide. He also served as President of the World Association for Social Psychiatry and collaborated with global institutions like the World Health Organization, World Bank, and the Pan American Health Organization.


Prof. Sorel's dedication earned him numerous accolades, including Romania’s Star of Romania Order of Commander, Doctor Honoris Causa from two Romanian universities, and the Ronald A. Shellow Award from the American Psychiatric Association. His passing is a profound loss to the field of psychiatry, but his legacy will continue to inspire those who strive for a more integrated, just, and mentally healthy world.


On behalf of the World Psychiatric Association, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues around the world. Prof. Sorel's remarkable contributions will be remembered with deep admiration and gratitude. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him and were touched by his work.


Author: Prof. Danuta Wasserman, President, WPA

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