MHE conference 2007
As you all know, Mental Health Europe will
hold its 2007 conference in Vienna, from 31 May-2 June 2007. The
conference will be co-organised by Pro Mente Austria and Pro Mente
Vienna.
Preparations for the conference programme are well underway and we hope to open the conference website in January 2007.
The meeting venue has been fixed now: the House of Industry, a beautiful building situated in the heart of Vienna.
MHE’s General Assembly 2007 will be held in Vienna on 2 June 2007, after the conference.
Preceding the MHE conference and General Assembly, MHE is planning to hold a capacity building seminar, which is especially (but not exclusively) targeted at individuals and organisations in the mental health field coming from the new EU Member States and accession countries. The title of this training seminar would be: "Working together in the EU: Capacity-Building seminar for mental health organisations from the EU-27 Member States".
The aim of this capacity-building seminar will be:
Preparations for the conference programme are well underway and we hope to open the conference website in January 2007.
The meeting venue has been fixed now: the House of Industry, a beautiful building situated in the heart of Vienna.
MHE’s General Assembly 2007 will be held in Vienna on 2 June 2007, after the conference.
Preceding the MHE conference and General Assembly, MHE is planning to hold a capacity building seminar, which is especially (but not exclusively) targeted at individuals and organisations in the mental health field coming from the new EU Member States and accession countries. The title of this training seminar would be: "Working together in the EU: Capacity-Building seminar for mental health organisations from the EU-27 Member States".
The aim of this capacity-building seminar will be:
- to provide assistance, including specialised training, to mental health organisations in order to strengthen their capacity to fight the social exclusion of people with mental health problems;
- to make available information about the social inclusion process at the European and national level that mental health organisations can use to improve the situation of social exclusion of people with mental health problems in their countries;
- to promote dialogue and exchange of experiences and information between mental health organisations - nationally between organisations within each new Member State/Accession Country; regionally between new Member State/Accession Countries; and between new Member State/Accession Countries and the European level.
More information will follow in
our next Newsletters. Do not hesitate to contact us should you wish to
contribute to the seminar and conference (info@mhe-sme.org).
Vienna welcomes you!
Vienna welcomes you!
MHE Board meeting
MHE held its 20th Board meeting in Florence on
6 and 7 November 2006.
The agenda included discussions on Mental Health Europe’s financial situation, the MHE Plan of Work for 2007-2008, the MHE conference 2007 in Vienna, and MHE’s conference 2008 which will normally be held in Aalborg, North Denmark in August 2008.
On 7 November, Mental Health Europe delegates had a meeting at the Palazzo Vecchio, the magnificent Florence Town Hall, with representatives of the City of Florence and of the Tuscany Region. This meeting was organised by Donatella Miccinesi, director of AISMe (Italian association for mental health) and Pino Pini (MHE Board member), and it was attended by representatives from user and family organisations as well as the press.
We had the opportunity to discuss about the MHE project "Good Practices for Combating Social Exclusion of People with Mental Health Problems" and based on this about the concerns of people with mental health problems with regard to access to health and social services, education, employment or housing in Italy as well as in other European countries. Examples of good practices that are successfully implemented in the Tuscany region for many years are self-help groups for people "hearing voices". In her statement to the representative of the Tuscany Region, Malgorzata Kmita, MHE President, also raised the issue of the mental health of children, young people and ethnic minorities, which should not be forgotten in the effort to improve the situation of social inclusion of people with mental health problems.
Finally, the possibility of collaboration between MHE, AISMe and the Tuscany Region on a project on mental health in prisons was mentioned. Further discussions about this will be held in the near future.
The agenda included discussions on Mental Health Europe’s financial situation, the MHE Plan of Work for 2007-2008, the MHE conference 2007 in Vienna, and MHE’s conference 2008 which will normally be held in Aalborg, North Denmark in August 2008.
On 7 November, Mental Health Europe delegates had a meeting at the Palazzo Vecchio, the magnificent Florence Town Hall, with representatives of the City of Florence and of the Tuscany Region. This meeting was organised by Donatella Miccinesi, director of AISMe (Italian association for mental health) and Pino Pini (MHE Board member), and it was attended by representatives from user and family organisations as well as the press.
We had the opportunity to discuss about the MHE project "Good Practices for Combating Social Exclusion of People with Mental Health Problems" and based on this about the concerns of people with mental health problems with regard to access to health and social services, education, employment or housing in Italy as well as in other European countries. Examples of good practices that are successfully implemented in the Tuscany region for many years are self-help groups for people "hearing voices". In her statement to the representative of the Tuscany Region, Malgorzata Kmita, MHE President, also raised the issue of the mental health of children, young people and ethnic minorities, which should not be forgotten in the effort to improve the situation of social inclusion of people with mental health problems.
Finally, the possibility of collaboration between MHE, AISMe and the Tuscany Region on a project on mental health in prisons was mentioned. Further discussions about this will be held in the near future.
Good Practices for Combating Social Exclusion of People with Mental Health Problems – 4th Partners Meeting, Florence, 6-7 November 2006
The
project partners got together for the fourth time and shared all the
activities and events that had taken place since the last meeting in
May 2006. A report on the situation of social exclusion of people with
mental health problems in the participating 10 countries was
disseminated in the form of a press release by MHE, and some of the
project partners were also successful in spreading the outcomes of this
analysis through national and local newspapers.
Some of the project partners were moreover successful in establishing contacts with the national authorities and raising awareness of the project and the situation of social exclusion of people with mental health problems in the country, as well as they have got involved in the drafting of the National Reports on Strategies for Social Protection and Social Inclusion for the period 2006-2008 (previously National Action Plans on Social Inclusion). A point that was emphasized in this regard was that the project partners, who have successfully found an entry into this social inclusion process and have made the concerns of people with mental health problems heard in the drafting of the National Reports, should not cease efforts, but closely follow the monitoring and implementation of the National Reports. For the advancement of the concerns of people with mental health problems with regard to access to health and social services, education, employment, housing, transport and so on, it is crucial that what has been laid down in the National Reports also translates into practice.
Since the last meeting in May all the project partners have furthermore put a lot of effort into collecting good practices, either by sending out requests for good practices or by directly contacting people or organisations who are carrying out good practices. The good practices were then discussed in focus groups, which were organised in each of the partner countries, with the participation of people with mental health problems who are directly concerned.
The evaluated and selected best practices are soon to be published on a website which is specifically dedicated to the project. The website will also contain all the key information and documents related to the project as well as a list of events and links around the issue of mental health and social inclusion. Currently, preparations are made for carrying out some field exchange visits to Scotland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Belgium. These field exchange visits will serve as an opportunity for the project partners to learn about the selected best practices and meet with other stakeholders in the country as well as it will help the practices to gain visibility and support.
For further information about the project contact: Sogol Noorani, Project Coordinator, Tel +32 2 280 04 68, E-mail sogol.noorani@mhe-sme.org
Some of the project partners were moreover successful in establishing contacts with the national authorities and raising awareness of the project and the situation of social exclusion of people with mental health problems in the country, as well as they have got involved in the drafting of the National Reports on Strategies for Social Protection and Social Inclusion for the period 2006-2008 (previously National Action Plans on Social Inclusion). A point that was emphasized in this regard was that the project partners, who have successfully found an entry into this social inclusion process and have made the concerns of people with mental health problems heard in the drafting of the National Reports, should not cease efforts, but closely follow the monitoring and implementation of the National Reports. For the advancement of the concerns of people with mental health problems with regard to access to health and social services, education, employment, housing, transport and so on, it is crucial that what has been laid down in the National Reports also translates into practice.
Since the last meeting in May all the project partners have furthermore put a lot of effort into collecting good practices, either by sending out requests for good practices or by directly contacting people or organisations who are carrying out good practices. The good practices were then discussed in focus groups, which were organised in each of the partner countries, with the participation of people with mental health problems who are directly concerned.
The evaluated and selected best practices are soon to be published on a website which is specifically dedicated to the project. The website will also contain all the key information and documents related to the project as well as a list of events and links around the issue of mental health and social inclusion. Currently, preparations are made for carrying out some field exchange visits to Scotland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Belgium. These field exchange visits will serve as an opportunity for the project partners to learn about the selected best practices and meet with other stakeholders in the country as well as it will help the practices to gain visibility and support.
For further information about the project contact: Sogol Noorani, Project Coordinator, Tel +32 2 280 04 68, E-mail sogol.noorani@mhe-sme.org
Mental Health Economics European Network, Phase II – 3rd meeting, Berlin, 16 – 18 November 2006
The third meeting of
the Mental Health Economics European Network – Phase II
(MHEEN II) took place at the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health from 16 to 18 November in Berlin (Germany).
The MHEEN II Network, led by the London School of Economics and Political Sciences with the technical support of Mental Health Europe, met to review the progress that the MHEEN II group has made so far, to discuss the research findings and to agree on the next steps that need to be undertaken.
On 16th November the meeting focused on the economics of mental health promotion and mental disease prevention. Fleur Baddrick from IMHPA (Implementing Mental Health Promotion Action) provided an update on the network activities, deliverables and expected outcomes. This stimulated a debate on the potential links between MHEEN II and IMHPA.
The focus of the debate on the 17th morning was on the balance of care questionnaire and key related questions, e.g. on accuracy of the data and interpretations and how to make best use of the results. Julien Mosques from the Institute for research and information in health economics (IRDES) gave an overview of balance of care in France. The same day in the afternoon the topics of mental health financing and employment were discussed by the participants.
Finally, the last meeting day was dedicated to administrative issues, dissemination strategy and future activities of the network.
For further information about the project contact: Mari Fresu, Project Coordinator, E-mail mari.fresu@mhe-sme.org, Tel +32 2 280 04 68
The MHEEN II Network, led by the London School of Economics and Political Sciences with the technical support of Mental Health Europe, met to review the progress that the MHEEN II group has made so far, to discuss the research findings and to agree on the next steps that need to be undertaken.
On 16th November the meeting focused on the economics of mental health promotion and mental disease prevention. Fleur Baddrick from IMHPA (Implementing Mental Health Promotion Action) provided an update on the network activities, deliverables and expected outcomes. This stimulated a debate on the potential links between MHEEN II and IMHPA.
The focus of the debate on the 17th morning was on the balance of care questionnaire and key related questions, e.g. on accuracy of the data and interpretations and how to make best use of the results. Julien Mosques from the Institute for research and information in health economics (IRDES) gave an overview of balance of care in France. The same day in the afternoon the topics of mental health financing and employment were discussed by the participants.
Finally, the last meeting day was dedicated to administrative issues, dissemination strategy and future activities of the network.
For further information about the project contact: Mari Fresu, Project Coordinator, E-mail mari.fresu@mhe-sme.org, Tel +32 2 280 04 68
MHE representation at various meetings
On 5 November, the MHE
Finance Committee met in Florence (Italy).
On 6-7 November, the MHE Board meeting took place in Florence. (see p.2)
On the same days, a meeting of the partners of the MHE project "Good Practices for Combating Social Exclusion of People with Mental Health Problems" was organised in Florence. (see p.2-3)
On 7 November, Mary Van Dievel, MHE Representative, had a meeting in Florence with journalists and representatives of the Tuscany Region. (see p.2)
On 14 November, Mary Van Dievel, Sogol Noorani, Project Coordinator, and Fanny Muller, Information Officer, participated in the bi-annual meeting of the Social Platform members with the European Commission, which took place in Brussels (Belgium).
From 16 to 18 November, Mary Van Dievel and Mari Fresu, Project Coordinator, attended the 3rd meeting of the Mental Health Economics European Network (MHEEN II) in Berlin (Germany). (see p.3)
On 17 November, Sogol Noorani represented MHE at the meeting of the European Commission with the European Networks active in the Social Inclusion and Protection Process in Brussels.
On 20 November, Elisabeth Muschik, Board member, participated in the Social Platform FRAND (Fundamental Rights and Non Discrimination) workgroup, organised in Brussels.
On 21 November, Elisabeth Muschik represented MHE at the Social Platform seminar on "Enhancing NGOs expertise in fighting discrimination" (Brussels).
On 22 November, Josée Van Remoortel, Senior Policy Advisor, attended a preparatory meeting for the Citizens Forum in Paris (France).
On the same day, Mary Van Dievel and Mari Fresu took part in the EU Health Policy Forum in Brussels.
On 23 November, Mari Fresu attended the 1st meeting for the project "Comparative Cost Analysis: Community-based services as an alternative to institutions", which was held in Brussels.
On 28 November, Mary Van Dievel participated in a meeting of the EU Platform for Rehabilitation in Brussels.
On 6-7 November, the MHE Board meeting took place in Florence. (see p.2)
On the same days, a meeting of the partners of the MHE project "Good Practices for Combating Social Exclusion of People with Mental Health Problems" was organised in Florence. (see p.2-3)
On 7 November, Mary Van Dievel, MHE Representative, had a meeting in Florence with journalists and representatives of the Tuscany Region. (see p.2)
On 14 November, Mary Van Dievel, Sogol Noorani, Project Coordinator, and Fanny Muller, Information Officer, participated in the bi-annual meeting of the Social Platform members with the European Commission, which took place in Brussels (Belgium).
From 16 to 18 November, Mary Van Dievel and Mari Fresu, Project Coordinator, attended the 3rd meeting of the Mental Health Economics European Network (MHEEN II) in Berlin (Germany). (see p.3)
On 17 November, Sogol Noorani represented MHE at the meeting of the European Commission with the European Networks active in the Social Inclusion and Protection Process in Brussels.
On 20 November, Elisabeth Muschik, Board member, participated in the Social Platform FRAND (Fundamental Rights and Non Discrimination) workgroup, organised in Brussels.
On 21 November, Elisabeth Muschik represented MHE at the Social Platform seminar on "Enhancing NGOs expertise in fighting discrimination" (Brussels).
On 22 November, Josée Van Remoortel, Senior Policy Advisor, attended a preparatory meeting for the Citizens Forum in Paris (France).
On the same day, Mary Van Dievel and Mari Fresu took part in the EU Health Policy Forum in Brussels.
On 23 November, Mari Fresu attended the 1st meeting for the project "Comparative Cost Analysis: Community-based services as an alternative to institutions", which was held in Brussels.
On 28 November, Mary Van Dievel participated in a meeting of the EU Platform for Rehabilitation in Brussels.