Mental Health Europe Annual Report 2011

social inclusion democracy

non-discrimination lobbying

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volunteers professionals

well-being high priority

mental health care human

rights dignity respect choice

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taboos stigma prejudice role collective complaints

meaningful participation equal opportunities users

values

health

choice

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Mental Health Europe Annual Report 2011

Mental Health Europe Annual Report 2011 1

www.mhe-sme.org

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Mental Mental Health Health Europe Europe Annual Annual Report Report 2011 2011

Contents Letter from the President and the Director...........5 Our vision, mission and values..........................6 MHE Members................................................7 Top achievements for 2011...............................12 • National Focal Point trainings encourage exchange of experience between members and governments • Thought-provoking capacity building focuses on deinstitutionalization and the UN CRPD • MHE trains police officers on mental health aspects of domestic violence • MHE discusses employment and mental health in an ageing Europe through awareness-raising event and position paper • MHE lobbies for community-based care and for improvement of Structural Funds legislation • MHE discovers serious faults in National Reform Programmes • MHE fights for full voting rights for people with disabilities • MHE supports the set up of the Joint Action on Mental Health and Well-being Communicating Mental Health........................22 Financial report for 2011..................................26 Who is Who in Mental Health Europe.................28 Mental Health Europe Annual Report 2011

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Letter from the President and the Director

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“I feel that the greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more.� These words, uttered by Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine, could not ring truer than when we reflect on our endeavours and achievements in 2011.

The past year was one of challenges, but also immense opportunities. With the support of the European Commission, Mental Health Europe launched a unique two-year project aimed at training police officers on the mental health aspects of domestic violence. Moreover, as deinstitutionalisation was and remains one of the most important MHE priorities, we have been working on the first European report to provide not only valuable insight on the state of institutional care in Europe, but also actual data on the number of people living in institutions in each European country.We will never reach full inclusion unless all persons have the possibility to access quality services provided for them in the community, and Mental Health Europe was, and is committed to dedicating its resources to promoting the closure of large residential institutions.

As capacity-building was another key priority for MHE in the past year, we dedicated a lot of effort to organising seminars and trainings in numerous European countries, thus facilitating a more active role for our National Focal Points. Moreover, among the many events and activities MHE was a part of in 2011, we would like to highlight the empowerment seminar MHE carried out in close collaboration with the European Network of (ex)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, as we strongly believe it is essential for a strong and independent user movement to contribute to shaping policy in Europe. MHE also organized its yearly awareness-raising event at the European Parliament, where Members of the European Parliament, mental health professionals and government officials discussed the value older people bring to the workplace and the innovative new mechanisms needed for older people to continue contributing to society in a meaningful and constructive manner.

None of this would have been possible without the fantastic leadership of MHE Director Mary van Dievel, who left the organisation at end of December 2011 after having dedicated most of her professional life to the cause of mental health promotion and social inclusion of people with mental health problems. Mental Health Europe will continue her work, fighting tirelessly to ensure that the human rights of mental health (ex)service users are upheld, in the hope that we can contribute to a society based on social justice and non-discrimination.

Looking forward, there is still a lot to be done, especially in light of the financial crisis having hit users of mental health services disproportionately hard. It is more important than ever for civil society organisations to ensure that Europe becomes a good place to live for all, a place where fundamental rights are respected and reflected in all relevant policies and actions, and where people with mental health problems are given an equal chance at a fulfilling life. As a leading organization, we have both the responsibility and the opportunity to do more, and we would like assure you it is a duty that we do not take lightly.

Nace Kovac, MHE President

Maria Nyman, MHE Director

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Our vision, mission and values

Our vision

Mental Health Europe:

Mental Health Europe’s vision is of a Europe where mental health and wellbeing are given high priority in the political spectrum and on the European health and social agenda, where (ex-) users of mental health services live as full citizens with access to appropriate services and support when needed, and where meaningful participation is guaranteed at all levels of decisionmaking and administration.

MHE’s values are based on dignity and respect, equal opportunities, freedom of choice, antidiscrimination, social inclusion,democracy and participation.

• Plays an important role in raising awareness, fighting social exclusion and combating the taboos, stigma and prejudice associated with mental illness

Our mission Mental Health Europe is a nongovernmental umbrella organisation committed to the promotion of mental health and well-being, the prevention of mental health problems, the improvement of care, and the protection of the human rights of (ex) users of mental health services, their families and carers. MHE’s mission is upholding the mental health and wellbeing of all citizens, from all minority groups and from the whole of Europe.

MHE aims to make membership relevant and valuable for its members and to develop policy positions in consultation with them.

• Is entitled to fight against violations of the social rights of people with mental health problems by lodging collective complaints with the Council of Europe’s Committee of Social Rights • Is a member of several European umbrella organisations and contributes to their work from a mental health perspective: European Disability Forum,Social Platform,European Public Health Alliance, European Coalition for Community Living, European Patients’ Forum and European Women’s Lobby

Our members Mental Health Europe represents associations and organisations active in the field of mental health at local, national, regional and European level. This includes NGOs, users of mental health services, their families and carers, professionals, research and educational institutions and volunteers. In 2011, MHE had 80 Member Organisations and 50 Individual Members.

“We envision a Europe where mental health and wellbeing are given high priority in the political spectrum, where (ex-) users of mental health services live as full citizens with access to appropriate services and support, and where meaningful participation is guaranteed at all levels of decision-making” 6

Mental Health Europe Annual Report 2011

MHE Members

MHE members in 2011

Zorgnet Vlaanderen

Austria: Pro Mente Austria - Austrian Federation for Mental Health

Bosnia and Herzegovina Association for Mutual Assistance in Mental Distress / Fenix

Belgium: Fédération des Institutions Hospitalières de Wallonie FIH-W Federatie van Diensten voor Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg (FDGG) Habitations Protegées Ourthe-Ambleve Hand in Hand v.z.w Huis Perrekes Ligue Bruxelloise de Santé Mentale Ligue Wallonne pour la Santé Mentale Vlaamse Vereniging voor Geestelijke Gezondheid (VVGG)

Bulgaria: Public Health Centre Croatia: Shine - The Association for Social Promotion of People with Mental Disabilities Sto Koluri Split - Association for health protection, social care and children rights’ promotion Cyprus: Advocacy Group for the Mentally Ill(AGMI)

“I am convinced that nowadays independent associations as MHE are more and more necessary for the development of mental health systems close to the real needs and aspirations of people, and far from the economic and power interests of global organizations.”

Pino Pini, AISME Mental Health Europe Annual Report 2011

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MHE Members

Czech Republic: Czech Association for Mental Health (CAPZ) FOKUS Denmark: Danish Psychosocial Rehabilitation Information Centre Projekt UDENFOR SIND - Danish Association for Mental Health Estonia: Estonian Mental Health Association Finland: Finnish Association for Mental Health Finnish Central Association for Mental Health National Institute for Health and Welfare France: Advocacy France CEMEA - Direction générale France Dépression Germany: Bundeszentrale fuer Gesundheitliche Aufklaerung (BZgA) Dachverband Gemeindepsychiatrie e.V. Deutsche Gruppenpsychotherpeutische Gesellschaft (DGG)

Verbandpsychiatrischer Rehabilitationseinrichtungen Deutschlands VpRD DGSP Deutsche Gesellschaft für Soziale Psychiatrie Georgia: Georgian Association for Mental Health Greece: Association for the Psychosocial Health of Children and Adolescents (APHCA)

“Just knowing that Mental Health Europe exists provides the reassurance that we have a solid footing in our quest to achieve a better quality of life for those who have mental health problems.”

Emily Adamberry Olivero M.B.E., Psychological Support Group Gibraltar 8

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MHE Members

Ireland: Mental Health Ireland Israel: Makshivim net Italy: AISME Kosovo: Kosovo Health Foundation Latvia: SKALBES Lithuania: State Mental Health Centre Mental Health Institute for Children and Adults (M.H.I.C.A.) Society of Social Psychiatry and Mental Health Hellas Employee Assistance Programs Ltd Hungary: “Way Out” Psychiatric Self Help Association Pszichiatriai Erdekvedelmi Forum / Mental Health Interest Forum Iceland: The Advocacy and Mental Health Association of Iceland GEDHJALP

Luxembourg: Reseau Psy – Psychesch Hëllef Dobaussen asbl Malta: Friends of Mount Carmel Hospital Society Netherlands: C.C.L. Time-out GGZ Nederland RINO Noord-Holland Norway: Voksne for Barn - Adults for Children

“Mental Health is on the European political map and Mental Health Europe is one of the key players who have put it there. It is fundamentally important that the voice of Mental Health Europe is now heard loud and clear.”

John Bowis, former Member of the European Parliament Mental Health Europe Annual Report 2011

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MHE Members

Poland: Coalition for Mental Health Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii Polish Association for Child and Family Mental Health

Slovak Republic: Integra Open the Doors, Open your Hearts (ODOS) Slovak League for Mental Health

Portugal: ARIA- Associacao de reabilitacao e Intergracao Ajuda Portuguese Association for Mental Health

Slovenia: OZARA - Slovenija Nacianonaino SENT - Slovenian Association for Mental Health Zdrruzenje Za Kakovost Zivljenja

Romania: Estuar Romanian League for Mental Health Serbia NGO Herc Association for supporting people with neuroses

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Spain: Asociacion Española de Neuropsiquiatria (AEN) Asociación National de Enfermería de Salud Mental FEAFES - Confederacion Española

MHE Members

de Agrupaciones de Familiares Y Enfermos Mentales Fundacion Intras Fundacion Mundo Bipolar Sweden: Swedish Association for Health “Psykisk Hälsa”

Mental

Switzerland: Pro Mente Sana United Kingdom: Glasgow Association for Mental Health Institutional and Professional Development Centre School of Education Mind

Penumbra Psychological Support Group, Gibraltar Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health The British Psychological Society The Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health European Level Organizations: ADHD Europe European Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapy (EABCT) European Psychiatric Nurses - HORATIO SMES-Europa aisbl

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Top achievements for 2011

National Focal Point trainings encourage exchange of experience between members and governments In 2011, MHE continued to work with its network of National Focal Points (NFPs), delivering four training sessions on issues of concern to its members.

Under a system implemented in 2008, NFPs are intermediaries between MHE, its member organisations and other stakeholders in their respective countries. The role of NFPs is to disseminate information on relevant European Union policies to national, regional and local levels, and help MHE receive input from its members on specific issues of consultation.

The 2011 National Focal Point training topics ranged from MHE core activities to policy-making in the framework of the EU 2020 Strategy for Smart,

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Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, the National Reform Programmes, the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion, and the European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being.

MHE members in the host countries kindly helped organized the sessions, which took place: • • • •

On March 23-25 in Lisbon, Portugal On April 14-15 in Sliema, Malta On May 9-10 in Dublin, Ireland On June 16-17 in Prague, Czech Republic

The trainings welcomed distinguished speakers from national governments, who were always willing to engage with participants.

Mrs Catherine Gonzi, the First Lady of Malta, gave an introductory speech to the audience in Sliema, pointing out the importance of mental health associations in shaping mental health policies. MHE was also pleased to hear Ray Xerri from the Maltese Health Ministry, who presented the Maltese mental health system and discussed the implementation of the European Pact for Mental Health and Wellbeing, a topic also addressed by Alvaro Carvalho from the Portuguese Health Ministry.

Participants also attended several site visits to social enterprises, creative workshops for people with mental health problems, and assisted living initiatives.

Top achievements for 2011

Thought-provoking capacity building focuses on deinstitutionalization and the UN CRPD The annual Mental Health Europe capacity-building seminar, organized for MHE and European Network of (ex-)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (ENUSP) members, brought together more than 100 mental health professionals and users for a series of engaging lectures and discussions.

The May 20 event addressed three topics which are at the core of advocacy in the field of mental health: deinstitutionalization, the use of European Union Structural Funds and the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of

Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

Speakers from the European Expert Group on Deinstitutionalization, the European Commission, the UN, and several European NGOs contributed to a stimulating and informative session. Eric Olsen, the keynote speaker from ENUSP discussed deinstitutionalization from the users-survivor perspective, while Jan Pfeiffer, chairperson of European Expert Group on Deinstitutionalization addressed the transition to community services in Europe. Moreover, the issue of Structural Funds was tackled by both Tsvyatko Velikov from the European Commission, DG Regional Politics and by Javier Güemes, acting director of the European Disability Forum. The United NationsConvention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) was also discussed in depth, Jan Jarab, the regional representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presenting the UN CRPD in the context of mental health, Josée Van Remoortel, MHE senior policy advisor, tackling mental health services in practice from the perspective of the convention, and Gábor Gombos, member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities focusing on the CRPD implementation.

The lively discussion and debate that followed the presentations was facilitated by ENUSP representative Maths Jesperson.

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Top achievements for 2011

MHE trains police officers on mental health aspects of domestic violence As every fifth woman in Europe has been a victim of intimate partner violence, Mental Health Europe is proud to announce that 2011 saw the start of a new project aimed at tackling domestic violence by training law enforcement agents - the first points of contact for women denouncing their aggressors - on the mental health aspects associated with this type of violence. MHE’s project, “Train, Improve, Reduce. Diminish the mental health and psychological consequences of violence against women by dismantling prejudices of law enforcement agents,” is a unique attempt to raise awareness of the problems involved in dealing with victims of domestic violence, and above all, to improve the ability of the police to perceive and respond to the victims’ needs.

The project, which will run for two years and was developed in partnership with Pro Mente OberÖsterreich from Austria, AGMI from Cyprus, Advocacy France, the Romanian League for Mental Health, Sent from Slovenia and CAW from Belgium, is the second programme MHE is carrying out in the area of violence against women.

The project outcomes will include training sessions for police officers in the participating countries, while the training material will be gathered in a handbook. Moreover, MHE and

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its partners will develop policy recommendations, which, together with the project outcomes, will be presented at the final conference in the fall of 2012.

During the project’s research phase, MHE took up every opportunity to assess the impact of domestic violence from as many angles as possible. Therefore, MHE Daphne Project Coordinator Karina Huberman and MHE Senior Policy Officer Josée Van Remoortel visited a shelter for battered women in Ghent, Belgium, where they had the opportunity to discuss MHE’s project with the authorities of the shelter and get input from the perspective of an organization dealing with abused women on a daily basis.

Top achievements for 2011

MHE also met the Deputy Secretary of the Permanent Commission of the Belgium Local Police, who represents all local police services on a national level and who provided MHE with valuable information and suggestions, especially regarding the future training sessions involving law enforcement agents. Moreover, MHE had a meeting with the Ghent local police, who showed a lot of interest in the project and provided first hand information on how police deal with situations of domestic violence. Last but not least, MHE was invited to participate in a police Expert Group meeting, where Karina Huberman presented the Daphne Project and had a lively debate with police trainers, psychologists and police staff, who shared their

experience in the field.

During the second phase of the project, Mental Health Europe welcomed speakers from the Federal and Local Belgium Police, AGE Platform Europe, PICUM, the European Women’s Lobby and University of Ghent at the second partners’ meeting organized on September 20. The presenters, which focused on the mental health aspects of domestic violence, its European dimension and police response, also addressed the particular aspects associated with intimate partner violence in vulnerable groups.

After receiving valuable input from the project partners, MHE also developed the structure and content of the said training sessions.

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Top achievements for 2011

MHE discusses employment and mental health in an ageing Europe through awarenessraising event and position paper In preparation for the European Year on Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012, Mental Health Europe decided to choose active ageing as the topic for its 2011 awareness-raising event at the European Parliament. Therefore, together with MEP Frieda Brepoels, MHE organized a lunch debate where mental health professionals and government officials had the opportunity to discuss the value older people bring to the workplace, and the innovative new mechanisms needed for older people to continue contributing to society in a

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meaningful and constructive manner.

The discussion Staying active – The impact of (un)employment on the mental health of an ageing Europe took place on December 7 at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Speakers included Richard Wynne, Director of Work Research Centre in Ireland, Bart Julliams, Adviser for Employment in the Cabinet of Philippe Muyters, Flemish Minister of Finance, Budget, Employment, Planning and Sport, Jacques van der Vliet from the Standing Committee of European Doctors and Brian Howard, CEO of Mental Health Ireland. Attended by representative from European Non-Governmental organizations, as well as by several Members of the European Parliament, the event was very lively

Top achievements for 2011

and interactive, providing ample opportunities for comment and for sharing best practices.

On the same occasion MHE published a position paper reminding Member States that increasing the employment rate of older workers is crucial to attaining the goal of the Europe 2020 Strategy of achieving 75% overall employment in the next eight years.MHE pointed out that for older people, staying in employment contributes not only to an increased level of financial security, but also to a more fulfilling social life and a stronger sense of belonging to community. At the same time, employers can greatly benefit from hiring older workers, who may have a more holistic approach due

to the knowledge and expertise accumulated during their working life. Through life-long learning measures, employers can develop the existing skills of older persons, enabling an efficient combination of acquired working competences and new working methods. Therefore, recognizing that older workers are assets and thus supporting them to stay longer in employment is a clear win-win situation.

Moreover, as staying active in later life is crucial to maintaining good physical and mental health, Mental Health Europe asked for real commitments from the Danish Presidency, under whose auspices the European Year was to be launched.

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Top achievements for 2011

MHE lobbies for communitybased care and for improvement of Structural Funds legislation As a member of the European Expert Group on Deinstitutionalization, MHE has put a lot of effort into lobbying for the improvement of the European legislation on Structural Funds. The process of deinstitutionalization and the development of community -based services in Europe are mostly supported by Structural Funds, as governments are not able to cover transition costs by only relying on their national budgets. However, Structural Funds can also be used for refurbishing old institutions, or even building new ones, something that several EU member states have already done, despite the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)stating that all persons with disabilities have a right to live in the community.

In late 2010 the EU itself concluded the convention, which gave MHE a new and crucial legal instrument, as the EU now has a legal obligation to only implement policies and programmes that are in line wih the

UN CRPD. Therefore, throughout 2011, MHE met with MEP Kinga Göncz, the shadow rapporteur for the European Social Funds 20142020, asking her to support deinstitutionalization during the negotiations. MHE also met with European Commission officials to discuss the future regulation, and co-signed a letter sent to Viviane Reding, László Andor, Johannes Hahn and Štefan Füle asking that the new structural funds 20142020 promote the transition from institutional to community-based care.

Moreover, along with European NGOs such as the European Disability Forum, Inclusion-Europe, Eurochild and the European Network of Independent Living, MHE started developing the common European Guidelines on deinstitutionalization, a project coordinated

by Lumos.

The guidelines are meant to help organizations of disabled people, children and people with mental health problems to fight for the closing of institutions, while also providing technical and methodological support for

“States Parties to this Convention recognize the equal right of all persons with disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others and shall take effective and appropriate measures to facilitate full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of this right and their full inclusion and participation in the community” Article 19, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 18

Mental Health Europe Annual Report 2011

Top achievements for 2011

decision makers, service providers and stakeholders.

Consequently, Mental Health Europe, with the support of the Open Society Institute Mental Health Initiative, is currently in the process of developing its own publication on deinstitutionalization, providing valuable insight on the state of institutional care in Europe, and the number of people living in

institutions in each European country. This unique report is scheduled for the fall of 2012.

In terms of communications, Mental Health Europe also published two press releases related to deinstitutionalization, and gave a lengthy video interview to the EU Observer discussing the need for proper allocation of funds that would support living in the community.

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Top achievements for 2011

MHE discovers serious faults in National Reform Programmes On June 24, 2011, the EU Heads of States and Governments got together to adopt countryspecific recommendations for the Member States’ National Reform Programmes 2011. Mental Health Europe and its National Focal Points conducted an analysis of the National Reform Programmes, focusing on whether they met social inclusion requirements.

The results were overwhelmingly disappointing. The assessment conducted by Mental Health Europe and its members revealed that countries failed to involve civil society in their decision-making, as only a few EU Member States had a transparent consultation process open for representatives from Non-Governmental Organizations.

Moreover, social inclusion policies targeted at disadvantaged groups such as people with mental health problems were rudimentary in most National Reform Programmes.

Therefore, Mental Health Europe urged the European and national leaders to grant equal footing to social inclusion and cohesion in EU policies. MHE also called on the European Council to insist in the country recommendations that EU Member States ensure a better

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involvement of civil society representatives such as social NGOs in the National Reform Programmes, and to put more emphasis on the social objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy. Another key initiative of the European Platform Against Poverty which MHE believed should be considered appropriately in the National Reform Programmes was the targeted use of EU Structural Funds to support the shift from institutional to community-based, and allow for a better treatment based on the actual needs of people with mental health problems.

Top achievements for 2011

MHE fights for full voting rights for people with disabilities Mental Health Europe (MHE) and the European Network of (ex-)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (ENUSP) published a joint press release drawing attention to the shocking fact that the new Hungarian Constitution actively strips away the voting rights of people with mental health problems. Although the Constitution superficially acknowledged equal rights for all Hungarians, article XXIII (6) stated that ”Those deprived of their right to vote by a court by reason of limited mental capacity shall not have the right to vote,” an entirely unjustifiable restriction, based on irrational prejudices.

Not only did the article represent a violation of human rights, it was also an infringement of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), which was ratified by Hungary in 2007. Under Article 29 of the CRPD, States Parties must ensure that people with mental health problems ”can effectively and fully participate in political and public life on an equal basis with others…including the right and opportunity… to vote and be elected.”

“The provisions relating to voting rights for people with mental health problems in the new constitution do

not meet EU human rights standards, and the European institutions should urge the Hungarian Government to adapt its legislation to comply to those standards,” said Mary Van Dievel, MHE Director.

MHE and ENUSP therefore called on the Hungarian Parliament to overturn the Constitution’s Article XXIII (6), which is a breach of basic human and civil rights and to take active measures to force the Hungarian government to comply with the UN CRPD, as they had vouched when ratifying the Convention.

MHE was also part of the Save the Vote campaign, whose first achievement was prompting the Venice Commission, an influential group of constitutional law experts,to fully support universal suffrage for people with disabilities.

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Top achievements for 2011

MHE supports the set up of the Joint Action on Mental Health and Well-being Mental Health Europe was pleased to see the Council of the European Union taking an active step in mainstreaming mental health by inviting the European Commission and European Union (EU) Member States to develop a Joint Action on Mental Health and Wellbeing under the EU Public Health Programme 2008-2013.

MHE thoroughly welcomed this initiative, and encouraged the Commission and EU Member States to promptly get involved, keeping mental health and

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well-being high on both the EU and on national political agendas.

The Joint Action is particularly important as it would indicate the commitment of the European Commission and Member States to attaining the specific objectives set by the Council. Moreover, the Joint Action would provide a platform for exchange of views, cooperation and coordination between Member States. It would help build innovative partnerships between the health and other relevant sectors, facilitating a review of thepolicy impact on mental health, addressing mental health problems of vulnerable groups and preventing mental health problems in workplace and educational settings. The Joint Action could also be a further step in promoting community-based and sociallyinclusive approaches to mental health.

The proposal for a Joint Action is a result of the “European Pact for Mental Health and WellBeing,� which came to an end in March 2011. MHE was very much involved in the Pact, by providing strategic advice on relevant mental health issues, gathering examples of action and good practices, building capacity for all the actors involved, and proving valuable expertise when needed.

As an example, during the fifth and final conference of the European Pact for Mental Health and Wellbeing, both Stijn Jannes, MHE

Top achievements for 2011

Senior Policy Adviser, and Mary Van Dievel, MHE Director, were active participants, the Director presenting a poster on MHE’s project “Violence against women at work” and on MHE’s vision and mission. Stijn Jannes also chaired the parallel session on the role of civil society in the promotion of mental health and well-being at

work, with interesting contributions from the German Alliance for Mental Health, the European Network of (ex) Users and Survivors of Psychiatry and the Flemish Centre for Suicide Prevention. At the closing session, Mental Health Europe pleaded for more awareness in the public at large about the Pact and its outcomes.

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Communicating mental health

In 2011, Mental Health Europe took communication to a whole new level. While maintaining and improving tried and true methods of addressing important actors in the EU arena through newsletters and press releases, Mental Health Europe also branched out into social media, in a bid to promote one-toone communication with interested individuals. Mental Health Europe also completely redefined its visual identity, switching to a more modern and friendly look.

and coherent advocacy efforts and to its targeted media campaign. The organization was featured in a fiveminute video in the EU Observer, discussing how people with mental health problems are perceived in society, as well as the transition from institutional to community services.

MHE was also featured in a lengthy article in Europe&Me, while MHE Senior Policy Adviser Stijn Jannes also gave an interview to Research Europe.

MHE in the media

The 11 Newsletters MHE published this year reached a mailing list of more than 3700 individuals, in Brussels and beyond. For the

MHE received significant coverage during 2011, both due to its constant

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MHE Newsletters

Communicating mental health

first time, our newsletters were not only translated in French, Spanish and German, but due to a kind contribution from a volunteer, into Dutch as well. Briefing readers on important developments in the health policy area, the MHE newsletters also publicized events from MHE members, highlighted the European Year of Volunteering, and offered useful suggestions for involvement in conferences and seminars.

The MHE Websites The main MHE website (www.mhesme.org) has been as popular as ever, gathering no less than 26,815 visits, in which 70 563 pages were viewed,

over the course of 2011. Although MHE has stopped using the French version of its website, the readership actually increased in 2011, likely due to MHE’s use of social media channels, and its emphasis on clear and concise communication. MHE has also developed two additional websites,one for the project “Train, Improve, Reduce” (trainimprovereduce.wordpress.com) and one for the upcoming European Parliament Coalition on Mental Health and Wellbeing (mental-healthcoalition.com).

MHE on social media As of 2011, Mental Health Europe is active both on Facebook and Twitter,

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Communicating mental health

keeping constant contact with friends and followers. By the end of the year, MHE had around 270 friends on Facebook and 310 followers of twitter, with the numbers rapidly increasing.

If you haven’t done so yet, you can Like MHE on Facebook at http:// www.facebook.com/pages/MentalHealth-Europe/133189540084531, and follow MHE on Twitter at https:// twitter.com/#!/MHESME

MHE press releases Always willing to analyze and consult on policy developments and world events related to mental health, MHE published 12 press releases in 2011,

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double the number of 2010.

Ranging from topics such as deinstitutionalization and the Joint Action on Mental health and Wellbeing, MHE press releases also address the issue of prejudices against people with mental health problems, along with the impact of the financial crisis on the lives of persons with disabilities.

MHE publications To come to the aid of members and fellow NGO representatives who might be struggling with often cumbersome EU terminology, Mental Health Europe has published a quick guide to EU

Communicating mental health

Institutions and policies relevant for people working in the health sector, or for mental health service users. The guide, which was published in 21 European languages, gives an overview of EU policy and decision-making, and presents readers with means to get involved in lobbying the EU Bodies. The guide is available on the MHE website at http://www. mhe-sme.org/publications/mheleaflets.html and also in print upon request. During 2011, MHE also published two brochures, one of MHE’s advocacy work, and one presenting our project “Train, Improve, Reduce!”.

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Financial report for 2011

The MHE Finance Committee met at several occasions in 2011 to ensure the effective monitoring of incomes and expenditures in the MHE accounts.

The financial situation for 2011 reflects the hard work undertaken by the Director throughout the year, in order to ensure financial equilibrium. Nevertheless, despite constant efforts to seek additional funds and to avoid any unnecessary expenses, the balance for the year show a loss of 20.227,13 euro.

On the positive side, the treasury is healthy, and subsidies for 2011 are still to be received. The debt

towards the suppliers has also diminished in relation to the year 2010. This situation is the result of a strict and qualified management of the expenses during the year by former Director Mary van Dievel and her team: their advocacy work, involvement in projects, work with the media, and support of the membership have strengthened Mental Health Europe’s credibility and recognition in the European Union arena, further reinforcing the important role MHE is playing.

We are pleased to announce that new members joined Mental Health Europe in 2011, and that

Income 2011

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Financial report for 2011

Expenditure 2011

we receive new applications continuously. Together, we should continue to attract more members from all 27 EU Member States and beyond, thus contributing to the financial stability of the organization. The co-funding that MHE has to provide in order to match the European Commission support increases every year and MHE must therefore raise additional funds. We count on all members to support us in this effort! Furthermore, we gratefully accept every donation, be it small

or big – every little bit helps.

MHE will also try to seek support from European foundations and other potential sponsors to ensure sustainability for the future.

I would like to thank the Director, the Board of Directors, the Senior Policy Advisers and the MHE secretariat for their valuable contribution to the work of MHE! Colette Versporten, MHE Treasurer Chair of the Finance Committee

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Who is Who in Mental Health Europe

MHE Board 2009 - 2012 Tamas Barnabas, Hungary Preben Brandt, Denmark Hristo Dimitrov, Bulgaria Rita Donabauer, Austria Martine Dutoit, France Brian Howard, Ireland Vicente Ibañez Rojo, Spain Malgorzata Kmita,United Kingdom Nace Kovac, Slovenia Pino Pini, Italy Marita Ruohonen, Finland Dimitris Tataridis, Greece Jan Van Speybroeck, Belgium Svetlana Varjun, Estonia Colette Versporten, Belgium Executive Committee 2009 -2012 President: Nace Kovac Vice-President: Rita Donabauer Treasurer: Colette Versporten Secretary: Pino Pini

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Mental Health Health Europe Europe Annual Annual Report Report 2011 2011 Mental

Member without portfolio: Brian Howard Membership and Accreditation Committee Chair: Josée Van Remoortel, MHE Senior Policy Advisor Athena Frangouli, Greece Mariano Hernandez, Spain Elisabeth Muschik, Austria Inge Schöck, Germany Vesna Svab, Slovenia Finance Committee Chair: Colette Versporten, MHE Treasurer Brian Howard, MHE Board Member Josée Van Remoortel, MHE Senior Policy Advisor

Who is Who in Mental Health Europe

Committee on Mental Health and Human Rights Chair: Josée Van Remoortel, MHE Senior Policy Advisor Coordinator: Gabor Petri, MHE Human Rights Officer Claude Deutsch, MHE member Martine Dutoit, MHE Board member Kristjian Grdjan, MHE member, Vicente Ibanez-Rojo, MHE Board member Preben Brandt, MHE Board member, Denmark Jasna Russo, ENUSP, Germany Gabriela Tanasan, President, ENUSP, Romania Senior Policy Advisors Stijn Jannes Elisabeth Muschik Josée Van Remoortel MHE Secretariat Director: Mary Van Dievel Policy Officers: Gabor Petri, Human Rights Officer Yves Brand, Network Development Officer Astrid Mechel, Social Policy Officer

Assistant to the Director: Emilija Borchers Volunteer Translator Xavier Vanquickenborne Contact Details MENTAL HEALTH EUROPE – SANTE MENTALE EUROPE aisbl Boulevard Clovis 7, B-1000 Brussels Tel +32 2 280 04 68 Fax +32 2 280 16 04 E-Mail: info@mhe-sme.org www.mhe-sme.org

Daphne Project Coordinator: Karina Huberman Communications Officer Silvana Enculescu 10

Mental Health Europe Annual Report 2011

Mental Health Europe Annual Report 2011

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This Annual Report is supported by the European Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity (20072013). This programme was established to financially support the implementation of the objectives of the European Union in the employment and social affairs area, as set out in the Social Agenda, and thereby contribute to the achievement of the Lisbon Strategy goals in these fields. The seven-year Programme targets all stakeholders who can help shape the development of appropriate and effective employment and social legislation and policies, across the EU-27, EFTA and EU candidate and pre-candidate countries.

To that effect, PROGRESS purports at: • providing analysis and policy advice on employment, social solidarity and gender equality policy areas; • monitoring and reporting on the implementation of EU legislation and policies in employment, social solidarity and gender equality policy areas; • promoting policy transfer, learning and support among Member States on EU objectives and priorities; and • relaying the views of the stakeholders and society at large.

For more information see: http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/progress/index_en.html The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission

MENTAL HEALTH EUROPE AISBL Boulevard Clovis 7, B-1000 Bruxelles Tel: +32 2 280 04 68 Fax: +32 2 280 16 04 Email: info@mhe-sme.org Website: www.mhe-sme.org