**Updated with the report from the European Commission on the consultation’s results.**. The European Commission (EC) released in October 2005 a Green paper on Mental Health to launch a broad consultation on mental health in Europe. This should be the first step towards the establishment of an EU-strategy on mental health.
The Commission has issues questions to help organisations and citizens to draft their response:
1. How relevant is mental health for EU’s policy objectives?
2. Would a comprehensive EU-strategy on mental health add value?
3. What could be its main priorities and how the implementation of actions be promoted?
For the detailed version of the questions, please refer to the Green Paper – section 8
The deadline to submit comments to the Green Paper is the 31 May 2006, at mental-health@cec.eu.int.
Content of the Green Paper
Meant to follow up the World Health Organisation (WHO) European Ministerial Conference on Mental Health, the Green Paper sets out the European Community mandate and potential activities. It aims to introduce a comprehensive strategy meant to better coordinate European policies that affect mental health (eg research, health, social and employment, information, education, justice and regional policies).
According to the Green Paper, the establishment of a strategy on mental health at EU-level would bring added-value by creating a framework for cooperation between member states, mainstreaming mental health and involving civil society.
The European Commission has therefore decided to focus on four aspects:
– Promoting the mental health of all (particularly mentioned are children and adolescents, work place, older people, vulnerable groups);
– Preventive action against mental ill health (particularly mentioned are depression, alcohol, drugs, suicide);
– Social inclusion and protection of rights and dignity in order to improve the quality of life of people with mental ill health or disability (through a shift from institutions to community-based services, a assessment of compulsory placement, inclusion of mental health in the activities of the Fundamental Rights Agency;
– Creation of better information, research and knowledge (comparable indicators, instruments in the 7th Framework Programme for Research).
Report from the European Commission – summary of the responses received
Before producing a Strategy (due to be published during the summer 2007), the European Commission has compiled the main elements received from the 234 stakeholders and individuals that responded, (among which NGOs represent nearly half of the respondents).
EPHA is pleased to see that most of the elements of its response are reflected in the report.
In general, all respondents emphasised the importance of mental health for the well-being of the population, and its contribution to the Lisbon Agenda and other overarching commitments of the EU.
The majority of respondents also supported and would welcome the development of a comprehensive EU strategy on mental health.
The need to further mental health in policy making was stressed (notably in education, employment, social, nutrition, alcohol and work place sectors. It was also felt that work shall be envisaged to ensure that mental health is taken into account in public health policies.
Specific actions for prevention activities were notably mentioned: on suicide and depression, prevention of alcohol and drug related harm, discrimination, work-related stress, screening programmes, vulnerable groups, perinatal period. Reducing stigma and supporting social inclusion was also important. With regard to research priorities, programmes shall invest on mental health determinants and in positive mental health. More interlinkage between policy making and research is also needed.
In line with FEANTSA and EPHA responses, the report recognises that the effects of poverty and homelessness are missing from the Green paper. Alcohol and dual diagnosis was also raised.
The EU Platform on Mental Health was generally welcomed although some questions were raised over the definition of mental health and therefore the scope and remit of such a platform. The role of NGOs and the voluntary sector was also particularly stressed.
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EPHA members’ responses:
– EPHA (attached)
– Mental health Europe
– IVAA (attached)
– FEANTSA
– PGEU
– [European Commission webpage on mental health
->http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_determinants/life_style/mental_health_en.htm]