An updated MHE Website
We are pleased to
announce that the MHE website has been recently updated. Additional
documents have been posted and are at present available both in the
English and French versions:
- in the “Green
Paper” section, you will find in the sub-section
“MHE Contribution to the Green Paper” both the
MHE’s Response to the European Commission’s Green
Paper on Mental Health and the contributions to the consultation on the
Green Paper that MHE received from its member organisations;
- in the
“Publications” section, you will find a new
sub-section called “MHE Positions Papers”
collecting MHE’s positions papers on various issues, such as
MHE Reaction to the MDRI report about mistreatment of children in
Romanian psychiatric institutions.
To directly access
the MHE website: http://www.mhe-sme.org
MHE Executive Committee meeting
The first
meeting of MHE’s new Executive Committee will take place in
Brussels on 15 July 2006.
Discussion points will include the priorities for MHE for the forthcoming years and the preparation of MHE’s conference in 2007 and 2008.
For more information: the MHE Secretariat, Tel +32 2 280 04 68, E-mail info@mhe-sme.org
Discussion points will include the priorities for MHE for the forthcoming years and the preparation of MHE’s conference in 2007 and 2008.
For more information: the MHE Secretariat, Tel +32 2 280 04 68, E-mail info@mhe-sme.org
MHE Board meeting
MHE’s
next Board meeting will be held in Florence on 6-7 November 2006.
For more information: the MHE Secretariat, Tel +32 2 280 04 68, E-mail info@mhe-sme.org
For more information: the MHE Secretariat, Tel +32 2 280 04 68, E-mail info@mhe-sme.org
1st International Conference of the ASKLEPIOS European Foundation “Social Inclusion in Europe: Perspectives and Developments in Social Psychiatry, Care for the Mentally Handicapped and the Elderly”, 7-9 June, Athens, Greece
This European conference was organised by the ASKLEPIOS Foundation on the
occasion of the 25th anniversary of our Greek member: the Hellenic Society of Social
Psychiatry and Mental Health. Josée Van
Remoortel, MHE Senior Policy Advisor, and Sogol Noorani, MHE Project
Coordinator, were invited and attended the conference.
In the opening ceremony many speakers congratulated the Society of Social Psychiatry on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The conference started with Josée Van Remoortel’s presentation on EU Instruments for the Promotion of Social Inclusion of People with Mental Health Problems, followed by a presentation by the Greek Ombudsman Aim. Panagou. Then, some examples of interventions in the frame of the de-institutionalisation programmes in Greece were given.
In the following sessions and workshops (around 40!) presentations gave an overview of European good practices in the area of social inclusion- the topics ranged from the Mobile Psychiatric Units for remote areas and islands in Greece, to a de-institutionalisation project in Romania and the participation and integration of people with mental health problems in an urban environment in the Netherlands.
The last day of the conference was of very high quality, bringing more examples of effective good practices in mental health such as “The power of employment” (D. Robison and A. Cox) and “A Vision for the Delivery of High Quality Person-Centred Mental Health Services” (J. Forster Adams) – 2 UK examples of how work works! Very challenging was also the presentation of J.W. Duyvendak (Netherlands) on “Feeling at home in a “normal” neighbourhood”. Investigations were done into the policy and practice of community care and into what is the meaning of feeling at home.
Finally, Sogol Noorani gave a very valued presentation on the EU Project “Good Practices for Combating Social Exclusion of People with Mental Health Problems”.
The whole conference had a southern touch – warm, welcoming, nice lunches served by a sheltered catering project – and a good location. A small drawback was created by too many speakers sometimes leading to chaotic sessions. Chaos being a Greek word we could even enjoyed this.
For more information: contact person, Josée Van Remoortel, E-mail info@mhe-sme.org, Tel +32 2 280 0468
Thanks to Josée Van Remoortel for this contribution.
In the opening ceremony many speakers congratulated the Society of Social Psychiatry on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The conference started with Josée Van Remoortel’s presentation on EU Instruments for the Promotion of Social Inclusion of People with Mental Health Problems, followed by a presentation by the Greek Ombudsman Aim. Panagou. Then, some examples of interventions in the frame of the de-institutionalisation programmes in Greece were given.
In the following sessions and workshops (around 40!) presentations gave an overview of European good practices in the area of social inclusion- the topics ranged from the Mobile Psychiatric Units for remote areas and islands in Greece, to a de-institutionalisation project in Romania and the participation and integration of people with mental health problems in an urban environment in the Netherlands.
The last day of the conference was of very high quality, bringing more examples of effective good practices in mental health such as “The power of employment” (D. Robison and A. Cox) and “A Vision for the Delivery of High Quality Person-Centred Mental Health Services” (J. Forster Adams) – 2 UK examples of how work works! Very challenging was also the presentation of J.W. Duyvendak (Netherlands) on “Feeling at home in a “normal” neighbourhood”. Investigations were done into the policy and practice of community care and into what is the meaning of feeling at home.
Finally, Sogol Noorani gave a very valued presentation on the EU Project “Good Practices for Combating Social Exclusion of People with Mental Health Problems”.
The whole conference had a southern touch – warm, welcoming, nice lunches served by a sheltered catering project – and a good location. A small drawback was created by too many speakers sometimes leading to chaotic sessions. Chaos being a Greek word we could even enjoyed this.
For more information: contact person, Josée Van Remoortel, E-mail info@mhe-sme.org, Tel +32 2 280 0468
Thanks to Josée Van Remoortel for this contribution.
Public Hearing on Mental Health in the EU
On 8 june 2006 an EPP-ED (Group
of the European People's Party/Christian Democrats and European
Democrats) Public Hearing on the Commission Green Paper on
Mental Health took place at the European Parliament in Brussels.
The event was opened and chaired by John Bowis , Member of the European Parliament (MEP), who is the rapporteur for the European Parliament's response to the Green Paper on mental health.
Robert Madelin, Director-General of DG Health at the European Commission, gave an introduction to the Green Paper on behalf of the Commission. Antonios Trakatellis, MEP, chaired the session addressing the issue of current trends in mental health policy and practice, and Avril Doyle, MEP, chaired the session entitled “From Green Paper to Action”. Žilvinas Padaiga, the Lithuanian Minister for Health, closed the event.
The Parliament is expected to adopt its response to the Commission Green Paper. The Commission is planning to produce a synthesis of all the responses to the consultation on the Green Paper by the end of 2006. This document is likely to form the basis for a White Paper, expected in the first quarter of 2007.
Mary Van Dievel, Director, Elisabeth Muschik, Board Member, and Mari Fresu, Project Coordinator, attended the event on behalf of MHE.
The presentations of speakers can be downloaded from John Bowis' website at: www.johnbowis.com/health_mentalhealth.htm
For more information, please contact Mari fresu at mari.fresu@mhe-sme.org
The event was opened and chaired by John Bowis , Member of the European Parliament (MEP), who is the rapporteur for the European Parliament's response to the Green Paper on mental health.
Robert Madelin, Director-General of DG Health at the European Commission, gave an introduction to the Green Paper on behalf of the Commission. Antonios Trakatellis, MEP, chaired the session addressing the issue of current trends in mental health policy and practice, and Avril Doyle, MEP, chaired the session entitled “From Green Paper to Action”. Žilvinas Padaiga, the Lithuanian Minister for Health, closed the event.
The Parliament is expected to adopt its response to the Commission Green Paper. The Commission is planning to produce a synthesis of all the responses to the consultation on the Green Paper by the end of 2006. This document is likely to form the basis for a White Paper, expected in the first quarter of 2007.
Mary Van Dievel, Director, Elisabeth Muschik, Board Member, and Mari Fresu, Project Coordinator, attended the event on behalf of MHE.
The presentations of speakers can be downloaded from John Bowis' website at: www.johnbowis.com/health_mentalhealth.htm
For more information, please contact Mari fresu at mari.fresu@mhe-sme.org
DG SANCO Stakeholder Involvement: Peer Review Group
DG SANCO (Health and Consumer protection) is currently working on how to
improve the stakeholder consultation and participation processes.
Key SANCO Stakeholders (both industry and non governmental organizations - NGOs), consultation experts and Member States have been involved in the process through a Peer Review Group. This group will assist DG SANCO in reviewing its experience as regards stakeholder consultation in identifying best practices and loopholes in the existing consultation system.
The first Peer Review Group’s meeting took place on 13 June 2006 in Brussels. The aim of this meeting was to review the draft of the DG SANCO’s Preliminary Findings Report, which was drawn up taking into account the input provided by the different Directorates of DG SANCO – in particular those officials in charge of SANCO stakeholder networks – as well as other DGs, Member States and stakeholder consultation experts.
The group will end its work in December 2006. At the end of this project, SANCO Stakeholder Consultation guidelines will be developed, with the overall goals of:
Key SANCO Stakeholders (both industry and non governmental organizations - NGOs), consultation experts and Member States have been involved in the process through a Peer Review Group. This group will assist DG SANCO in reviewing its experience as regards stakeholder consultation in identifying best practices and loopholes in the existing consultation system.
The first Peer Review Group’s meeting took place on 13 June 2006 in Brussels. The aim of this meeting was to review the draft of the DG SANCO’s Preliminary Findings Report, which was drawn up taking into account the input provided by the different Directorates of DG SANCO – in particular those officials in charge of SANCO stakeholder networks – as well as other DGs, Member States and stakeholder consultation experts.
The group will end its work in December 2006. At the end of this project, SANCO Stakeholder Consultation guidelines will be developed, with the overall goals of:
-
Improving the quality of DG SANCO policy-making;
- Empowering stakeholders and improve the dialogue with them;
- Providing SANCO policy officers with the most up to date tools necessary to better engage with stakeholders;
- Addressing the differences in access to information and resources between industry and NGOs.
- Empowering stakeholders and improve the dialogue with them;
- Providing SANCO policy officers with the most up to date tools necessary to better engage with stakeholders;
- Addressing the differences in access to information and resources between industry and NGOs.
Mari Fresu, Project
Coordinator, attended the first meeting on behalf of Mental Health
Europe.
For more information, please contact Mari Fresu at mari.fresu@mhe-sme.org
For more information, please contact Mari Fresu at mari.fresu@mhe-sme.org
MHE representation at various meetings
On 1-3 June
Elisabeth Muschik, MHE Board Member, took part in the Social
Platform’s networking visit to Sofia (Bulgaria). She met with
Bulgarian mental health non governmental organisations (NGOs) and
presented a contribution on networking.
On 7-9 June, Josée Van Remoortel, Senior Policy Advisor, and Sogol Noorani, Project Coordinator, participated in the Asklepios conference “Social Inclusion in Europe: Perspectives and Developments in Social Psychiatry, Care for the Mentally Handicapped and the Elderly” in Athens (Greece). (see p. 2)
On 8 June, Mari Fresu, Project Coordinator, Elisabeth Muschik and Mary Van Dievel, Director, attended a European Parliament Hearing on the Green Paper on Mental Health, hosted by John Bowis MEP. (see p. 3)
On 9-11 June, Mari Fresu represented the MHEEN (Mental Health Economics European Network) in both the ENMESH (European Network for Mental Health Service Evaluation) pre-conference workshop on “Fighting stigma” and in the 7th ENMESH International Conference in Lund (Sweden).
On 12-13 June, John Henderson, Senior Policy Advisor, took part in the management committee meeting for the European Coalition for Community Living.
On 13 June, Mari Fresu attended the 1st meeting of the Peer Review Group on “Stakeholder Involvement”, organised in Brussels (Belgium) by the European Commission’s Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection. (see p. 3)
The same day Elisabeth Muschik participated in the Social Platform’s Social Policy Working Group in Brussels.
On 19 June, Sogol Noorani went to the launch of Caritas Europa’s 3rd Report on poverty in Europe, “Migration, a journey into poverty? A Caritas Europa Study on Poverty and exclusion of immigrants in Europe”, which took place in Brussels.
On 20 June, Mari Fresu gave a presentation on MHE’s activities at the 12th EDF (European Disability Forum) Study Visit meeting with delegates of Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) from the Western Balkans.
On 20 June, Mary Van Dievel met with Donatella Miccinesi and Pino Pini in Florence (Italy), to prepare the next partners meeting of the EU project on “Good Practices for combating social exclusion of people with mental health problems” and MHE’s next Board meeting.
On 21 June, Sogol Noorani, Mari Fresu and Fanny Muller, Information Officer, had an interview in the MHE office with Ms Dace Beinare, Director of the Latvian Crisis Center Skalbes, to give her some information on MHE’s activities and actions.
On 22 June, Mari Fresu and Colette Versporten, Treasurer and Board Member, participated in the World Health Organization – Europe’s event on “Health gaps in the wider Europe: 10 health questions about the EU’s neighbour” held in Brussels. (see p. 9-10)
On 27 June, Sogol Noorani represented MHE at the EDF Cocktail with delegates of DPOs from the Western Balkans, which was held in Brussels.
On 7-9 June, Josée Van Remoortel, Senior Policy Advisor, and Sogol Noorani, Project Coordinator, participated in the Asklepios conference “Social Inclusion in Europe: Perspectives and Developments in Social Psychiatry, Care for the Mentally Handicapped and the Elderly” in Athens (Greece). (see p. 2)
On 8 June, Mari Fresu, Project Coordinator, Elisabeth Muschik and Mary Van Dievel, Director, attended a European Parliament Hearing on the Green Paper on Mental Health, hosted by John Bowis MEP. (see p. 3)
On 9-11 June, Mari Fresu represented the MHEEN (Mental Health Economics European Network) in both the ENMESH (European Network for Mental Health Service Evaluation) pre-conference workshop on “Fighting stigma” and in the 7th ENMESH International Conference in Lund (Sweden).
On 12-13 June, John Henderson, Senior Policy Advisor, took part in the management committee meeting for the European Coalition for Community Living.
On 13 June, Mari Fresu attended the 1st meeting of the Peer Review Group on “Stakeholder Involvement”, organised in Brussels (Belgium) by the European Commission’s Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection. (see p. 3)
The same day Elisabeth Muschik participated in the Social Platform’s Social Policy Working Group in Brussels.
On 19 June, Sogol Noorani went to the launch of Caritas Europa’s 3rd Report on poverty in Europe, “Migration, a journey into poverty? A Caritas Europa Study on Poverty and exclusion of immigrants in Europe”, which took place in Brussels.
On 20 June, Mari Fresu gave a presentation on MHE’s activities at the 12th EDF (European Disability Forum) Study Visit meeting with delegates of Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) from the Western Balkans.
On 20 June, Mary Van Dievel met with Donatella Miccinesi and Pino Pini in Florence (Italy), to prepare the next partners meeting of the EU project on “Good Practices for combating social exclusion of people with mental health problems” and MHE’s next Board meeting.
On 21 June, Sogol Noorani, Mari Fresu and Fanny Muller, Information Officer, had an interview in the MHE office with Ms Dace Beinare, Director of the Latvian Crisis Center Skalbes, to give her some information on MHE’s activities and actions.
On 22 June, Mari Fresu and Colette Versporten, Treasurer and Board Member, participated in the World Health Organization – Europe’s event on “Health gaps in the wider Europe: 10 health questions about the EU’s neighbour” held in Brussels. (see p. 9-10)
On 27 June, Sogol Noorani represented MHE at the EDF Cocktail with delegates of DPOs from the Western Balkans, which was held in Brussels.