Mental Health Promotion and Prevention of Disorders
Mental health promotion and disorder prevention activities in Europe are developing a capacity for innovation through work in the community with the message that there is no health without mental health. It appears that this message is reaching more and more policy makers - witness the recent European Commission launch of the European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being and the new policy initiatives on mental health promotion and prevention in an increasing number of EU member states.
Conceptual framework
Mental Health
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no 'official' definition of mental health. Cultural differences and competing professional theories all affect how 'mental health' is defined. In general, however, most experts agree that mental health and mental illness are not the same thing. In other words, the absence of a recognised mental disorder is not necessarily an indicator of mental health.
To read more click here
EU developments
Since 2005, significant steps ahead have been made in the field of mental health both at EU and national policy level. MHE has been following this process closely.
A milestone in the development of mental health policies has been the WHO Declaration and Action Plan for Mental Health in Europe signed on the occasion of the WHO European Ministerial Conference on Mental Health in Helsinki on 12-15 January 2005.
To read more click here
MHE key activities and events in this field
MHE is involved on an ongoing basis in public consultations and debates at the EU level to advocate for the promotion of positive mental health.
MHE work with the European Commission
- From the Green Paper to the European Pact on Mental Health and Well-being
Since 2005, MHE followed closely the process related to the European Commission Green Paper ‘Improving the Mental Health of the Population: Towards a Strategy on Mental Health for the European Union '.
To read more click here
MHE contact person
For more information on the MHE activities on mental health promotion and disease prevention, please contact Mari Fresu, Health Policy Officer, at the MHE Secretariat:
Email mari.fresu@mhe-sme.org
MHE position papers
MHE position on Promoting Mental Well-being in Employment (December 2007)
MHE position in response to the consultation on the Green Paper on Mental Health (May 2006)
Summary of the MHE members' positions on the Green Paper consultation (May 2006)
MHE press releases
MHE press release on the outcomes of the Green Paper consultation process (7 December 2007)
MHE press release on the EP event on Promoting Mental Well-being in Employment (5 December 2007)
MHE press release on the response to the Commission communication on health services (February 2007)
MHE press release on the occasion of the World Mental Health Day 2006
MHE events
MHE lunch debate at the European Parliament on Promoting Mental Well-being in Employment
MHE Seminar 'The EC Green Paper on Mental Health: Time for action!' (Brussels, 12 May 2006)
Key documents
European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being (13 June 2008)
Background paper on ‘Mental Health in the EU - Key Facts, Figures and Activities' (June 2008)
EU Health Strategy White Paper (October 2007)
European Parliament resolution on the mental health strategy for the EU (6 September 2006)
European Commission Green Paper on Mental Health (October 2005)
WHO Mental Health Action Plan for Europe (January 2005)
WHO Mental Health Declaration for Europe (January 2005)
Other useful links
World Health Organisation (WHO) website on Mental Health
WHO/Euro website on Mental Health
European Commission, Health and Consumers Directorate-General - Mental Health section
Health-EU Portal - Mental Health section
Website on the working process ‘Towards the European Pact on Mental Health and Wellbeing'
SUPPORT project - Promoting the EU Mental Health Agenda