Our Work
Mental health is an essential part of any citizen's health and well-being.
Mental health is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.
Together with its member organisations, MHE formulates recommendations for policies and strategies on mental health and well-being and lobbies the European institutions in order to increase awareness of the issues surrounding positive mental health and well-being.
MHE has a liaison function for mental health promotion with the European Commission and has found acknowledgment by other European Institutions, such as the European Parliament .
MHE is enjoying participatory status with the Council of Europe and has established strong working relations with the INGOs (International Non Governmental Organisations) of the Council of Europe.
MHE is also in official relations with the World Health Organization - Regional Office for Europe (WHO-Europe).
While a great number of policies and programmes that are likely to impact on mental health and well-being come under MHE's scrutiny, our focus is on four key policy areas:
1. Mental Health Promotion and Prevention of Disorders
MHE's mission is to raise awareness of the importance of mental health promotion and the prevention of mental disorders and to cooperate on this issue with other European and national organisations. For more information click here
2. Social Inclusion and Mental Health
MHE is committed to promoting the social inclusion of people with mental health problems through a better integration of mental health issues into the social inclusion process at the local, national, regional and European level.
MHE works towards a European society in which all people enjoy a high level of mental health, live as full citizens and have access to their human rights and to appropriate services and support when needed. For more information, click here
3. Disability and Mental Health
In the field of disability, MHE lobbies for the inclusion of people with mental health problems in the National Disability Councils. People with mental health problems should have the same eligibility as people with physical disabilities to benefit from social schemes.
MHE's message is that people with mental health problems have equal rights and are entitled to dignity, equal treatment, independent living and full participation in society. For more information, click here
4. Human Rights and Mental Health
MHE advocates for the prevention of abuses and violations of the human rights of people with mental health problems and the protection of people with mental health problems against discrimination. For more information, click here
MHE has also cross cutting activities like lobbying and advocacy work towards EU Institutions. For more information, click here
