MHE RESPONSE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT
In March 2008, Mental Health Europe (MHE) submitted its response to the European Commission's Green Paper on urban transport, "Towards a new culture for urban mobility". The Green Paper is an important instrument for achieving better, securer and more accessible transport in Europe.
The recently published MHE report "From Exclusion to Inclusion - The way forward to Promoting Social Inclusion of People with Mental Health Problems in Europe. An analysis based on national reports from MHE members in the 27 EU Member States"
highlights the problems that are faced by people with mental health problems in the field of transport. In its contribution to the Green Paper consultation on urban transport, MHE reiterates the specific needs and challenges that people with mental health problems encounter when using public transport.
Public transport is an essential instrument for tackling social exclusion: it is crucial for guaranteeing access to employment, to social and health services and to friends, family and the wider community. However, people with mental health problems are often experiencing barriers and/or reduced accessibility to transport.
The main problems that they encounter are the following:
· Financial problems: public transport is expensive and people with mental health problems cannot benefit from the reductions or financial support that are granted to other disabled persons;
· No personal assistant: there are no possibilities to hire a personal assistant to accompany people with mental health problems;
· Lack of transport possibilities in remote areas: as a consequence people with mental illness have to undergo hospital treatment rather than treatment in outpatient facilities;
· Attitude of staff: the staff approach towards people with mental health problems is often discriminatory and unfriendly.
Therefore, MHE believes that public transport in Europe should become more accessible, available and affordable to all citizens, including people with mental health problems.
MHE recommends paying special attention to remote and rural areas, providing people with mental health problems with price reductions or fares affordable for low incomes and raising the awareness of transport staff to the specific problems that people with mental health problems face.
The full text of the MHE response is available at:
The Green Paper "Towards a new culture for urban mobility" is available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/clean/green_paper_urban_transport/index_en.htm
For more information contact the MHE Secretariat: Email info@mhe-sme.org, Tel +32 2 280 04 68, Fax +32 2 280 16 04
MHEEN II POLICY BRIEFINGS
A series of new policy briefings from the Mental Health Economics European Network (MHEEN II), which was coordinated by the London School of Economics together with MHE, is now available on the MHEEN II website. These include an overview of the findings from the project as well as summaries on the role of economic evaluation; promotion and prevention; the balance of care; employment; financing and tools such as the European Service Mapping Schedule (ESMS). Four policy briefings are available on the MHEEN II website at http://www.mheen.org/Documents&Material.htm. The others will follow soon.
For more information: contact Mari Fresu, MHE Policy Officer, Email mari.fresu@mhe-sme.org, Tel +32 2 280 04 68
FAREWELL MESSAGE FOR CLARA GOMEZ
At the end of April Clara Gomez's four-month internship at the MHE Secretariat came to an end. Clara has been working hard on the DAPHNE III Programme and the drafting of a MHE project proposal.
The MHE Secretariat would like to warmly thank Clara for her commitment, her efforts and her good temper. We also wish her all the best for her future job at UNICEF.
REMINDER: MHE conference "Diversity in Mental Health and Wellbeing. An Opportunity for Intercultural Dialogue", 7-9 August 2008, Aalborg (Denmark)
For more information: the MHE Secretariat, E-mail info@mhe-sme.org, Tel +32 2 280 04 68, or visit the Conference dedicated website, http://www.mhe-aalborg.dk/
MHE REPRESENTATIONS AT VARIOUS MEETINGS
On 8 April, Mary Van Dievel, Director, represented MHE at the European Patients' Forum (EPF) General Assembly in Brussels.
On the same day, Mari Fresu, Policy officer, and Olivia Merlet, trainee, attended the Eurochild and UNICEF event "Improving the Well-Being of Young Children in Europe: The Role of Early Years Services", which was organised at the European Parliament in Brussels, while Clara Gomez, trainee, attended the ERIO (European Roma Information Office) Roma Conference "International Roma Day: Still fighting for our Rights" at the European Parliament.
On 8-9 April, Pino Pini, MHE Board member, represented MHE at the European Patients' Forum conference on "Health Literacy".
On 15 April, Mary Van Dievel and Elisabeth Muschik, MHE Vice-President, participated in the Social Platform General Assembly in Brussels.
On the same day, Mari Fresu took part in a meeting of the European Parliament Interest Group of Carers in the European Parliament in Brussels.
On 15-16 April, Fanny Muller, Information and Human Rights Officer, represented MHE at the Spring Session of the Council of Europe INGOs (International Non Governmental Organisations) held in Strasbourg (France).
On 17 April, Mary Van Dievel participated in the kick-off meeting for the PROGRESS Programme organised by the European Commission - DG Employment and social Affairs, in Brussels.
On 17-18 April, Elisabeth Muschik represented MHE at a meeting organised by the European Commission - DG Enlargement, on the theme "Civil Society Development in South-East Europe".
On 28-29 April, the MHE Briefing Meeting with Directors of Mental Health Organisations was held in Brussels.