Social Inclusion and Mental Health

Mental Health Europe has a history and plays an important role in raising awareness and in combating stigma, discrimination and social exclusion associated with mental illness. Mainstreaming mental health in the social policy field has become one of MHE's principal activities and a major area of concern for people with mental health problems.

EU policy developments in the field of Social Inclusion

In 2000, EU leaders established the Social Inclusion Process to make a decisive impact on eradicating poverty by 2010. Through this process, the European Union coordinates and encourages Member State actions to combat poverty and social exclusion, and to reform their social protection systems on the basis of policy exchanges and mutual learning.

To read more about EU developments, click here

MHE key activities in this field

MHE's Work Plan for the years 2011-2013 - supported by the PROGRESS Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity - has the overall goal to "develop and strengthen MHE's capacities and that of its member organisations, including people with mental health problems, who are at risk of poverty and social exclusion, to inform and influence employment and social policy and processes at the local, national, regional and European level with a view to better reflecting the needs of people with mental health problems."

To read more about MHE activities in the field of social inclusion, click here

MHE contact person

For more information on social policy related issues, please contact Astrid Mechel, Social Policy Officer, at the MHE secretariat:

Email astrid.mechel@mhe-sme.org

MHE reports and other publications

Mental Health and Social Inclusion in the National Reform Programmes 2011. Analysis of the national programmes by Mental Health Europe’s National Focal Points

The link between poverty and mental health problems – Results from MHE's survey

Mental health in the National Strategic Reports on Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2008-2010. Analysis of the national reports by MHE members

From Exclusion to Inclusion -the Way Forward to Promoting Social Inclusion of People with Mental Health Problems. An analysis based on national reports from MHE members in 27 EU Members States

Good Practices for Combating Social Exclusion of People with Mental Health Problems. A collection from ten EU Members States resulting from Mental Health Europe's Transnational Exchange Project 2005-2007

Leaflet of the MHE Transnational Exchange Project "Good Practices for Combating Social Exclusion of People with Mental Health Problems"

MHE position papers

MHE Position Paper on Volunteering written on the occasion of MHE Awareness raising event at the European Parliament (17 November 2010). Policy background available here.

MHE message for the European Year 2010 for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (21 January 2010)

MHE response to the European Commission EU 2020 Strategy consultation (14 January 2010)

MHE position paper on "Inclusion of Young People with Mental Health Problems into Employment" (26 October 2009)

MHE Position for the 8th Round Table on Poverty and Social Inclusion (15-16 October 2009)

MHE-Fundación INTRAS Common Statement towards EU next Spanish Presidency (21 September 2009)

MHE-FEANTSA Joint Statement on the issues of homelessness and mental health (10 September 2009)

MHE Position for the 7th Round Table on Poverty and Social Inclusion (15-16 October 2008)

MHE Contribution to the EU Budget Consultation (April 2008)

MHE Contribution on the EC Consultation on Active Inclusion (28 February 2008)

MHE Position for the 6^th Round Table on Poverty and Social Inclusion (16-17 October 2007)

MHE Position on the EC/BEPA consultation paper on Europe's Social Reality (20 September 2007)

MHE events

MHE National Focal Points Training Sessions 2010, February-June 2010

MHE Event at European Parliament "Volunteering as a tool of social inclusion for people with mental health problems (17 November 2010)

MHE capacity building seminar for MHE members on the issue of empowerment, Brussels, 12 June 2009

MHE National Focal Points trainings sessions, January-April 2009

MHE and Solidar Workshop at the Social Platform Annual Conference on the topic "What is the role of European NGO networks in bridging the gap between European and national level?" (9-10 December 2008)

MHE Briefing Meeting with Directors of MHE Mental Health Organisations to provide MHE member organisations with an overview of recent developments in the field of EU social and health policy, and to discuss the establishment of MHE national focal points (April 2008) Programme

Final event of the MHE transnational exchange project "Good Practices for combating social exclusion of people with mental health problems", presented on 01 June 2007 in the frame of the Mental Health Europe Conference 2007 in Vienna (June 2007)

MHE capacity building seminar for members, Vienna, 30 May 2007, to strengthen MHE members' capacity in their fight against social exclusion of people with mental health problems (May 2007)

"No Social Inclusion without Mental Health" - Awareness raising event at the European Parliament organised by MHE together with John Bowis, Member of the European Parliament (September 2006)