The Green Paper and the future EU strategy on Mental Health Francesco Longu Communications Officer European Public Health Alliance Bucharest, 26 January 2006
Presentation outline EPHA in a nutshell Mental health in the EU-25 The Green Paper: main issues The Green Paper: main comments Next steps: the input of civil society Next steps: the input of EPHA and its members
EPHA in a nutshell A network of 116 non governmental and not-for- profit organisations across Europe working on health and health-related issues Our mission is to improve the health of European citizens and to increase their participation in EU policy-making Two categories of membership: full members and associate members Organisational structure: Annual General Assembly, Executive Committee, Secretariat
Mental ill health in the EU-25 Mental ill health conditions account for more than 20% of healthy life years lost Mental ill health related expenses account for 3 to 4 % of the EU GDP 1 person out of 4 will experience mental ill health during his/her lifetime About 58,000 citizens die each year from suicide People with mental ill health or disability experience stigma, discrimination or non- respect of their dignity and fundamental rights
The role of the EU in promoting mental health Depends on the legal base of the concerned Community policy Health field (Art. 152 TEU): > Health information > Promotion and Prevention > Promote cooperation between Member States > Integrate health into all Community policies Mental health is to be mainstreamed in all EU legislation (not only article 152)
The Green Paper: main issues (1/3) Preceded by the WHO Ministerial Conference on Mental Health in Helsinki, January 2005 Published in early October 2005 The Commission acknowledges in the Green Paper that mental health can contribute to the achievements of some of the EU’s long-term strategic goals and reviews the different dimensions of mental health in Europe
The Green Paper: main issues (2/3) The Commission sets out four key objectives and several actions to be implemented through the future EU Mental Health Strategy: > Promoting the mental health of all > Preventing mental ill health > Improving the quality of life of people with mental ill health or disability through social inclusion and the protection of their rights and dignity > Developing a mental health information, research and knowledge system
The Green Paper: main issues (3/3) In order to facilitate the consultation process, the European Commission set up two groups that are going to meet three times before the end of the consultation: > Dialogue with Member States: aims to encourage dialogue between Member States and the European Commission. Each Member State will be represented by an expert or a government official from the Health Ministry > EUPlatform on Mental Health: aims to gather organisations from the civil society, and key stakeholders Both groups will review the above mentioned priorities identified by the Green Paper
The Green Paper: main comments (1/2) Some important issues that are mentioned in the WHO Action Plan are not sufficiently highlighted in the European Commission Green Paper Establishment of Health Impact Assessments of all EU policies including mental health indicators, should therefore be a clear priority of the EU Strategy on Mental Health Mental Health policy requires intersectoral linkages and should incorporate multisectoral and multidisciplinary approaches. Civil society organisations are essential partners
The Green Paper: main comments (2/2) Mental Health at the workplace and occupational health: links with OSHA and EU Employment Strategy Mental Health and human rights: EU Social Inclusion strategy, Disability rights legislation, Gender issues Mental Health and healthcare structures: de-institutionalisation, training for healthcare professionals, life-long learning
Next steps: the input of civil society The Commission has now started the formation of a EU Strategy on Mental Health The Consultation launched in October will close on 31 May 2006 It is very important that civil society contributes to this Strategy: > by sharing knowledge and expertise to build workable solutions > by responding the Consultation > by making sure that their concerns are taken into account by the two main groups established by the Commission: Dialogue with Member States and EU Platform on Mental Health Results of the consultation should be known by September 2006 and the EU Strategy should be made public by December 2006
Next steps: the input of EPHA and its members Commenting on the Commission recently published Green Paper on Mental Health and responding to the consultation with the general public Member of the Mental Health Platform set up by the Green Paper (next issues: Human Rights and Social Inclusion, Research and Data Collection) Partner of the EMIP project – communication and dissemination
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